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THE 



LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS 



MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART, 



COMMANDER OF THE CAVALRY OF THE 
ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA. 



H. B. McCLELLAN, A. M., 

\ i 

LATE MAJOR, ASSISTANT ADJUTANT-GENERAL, AND CHIEF OF STAFF OF THE 
CAVALRY CORPS, ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA. 




BOSTON AND NEW YORK :« 
HOUGHTON, MIFFLIN AND COMPANY 

RICHMOND, VA. : 

J. W. RANDOLPH AND ENGLISH. 

1885. 



\^ 






Copyright, 1885, 
By II. B. McCLELLAN. 

All rights reserved. 



The Riverside Press, Cambridge r 
Electrotyped and Printed by H. 0. Houghton & Co 






PREFACE. 



'Y 



I have written this work at intervals during the 
past five years of a very busy life, and I fear that 
it may have suffered from the want of consecutive 
thought and labor. I believe myself to have been 
actuated by a sincere desire to tell the truth, and to 
do simple justice to the memory of one under whom 
I feel it an honor to have served. If it shall prove 
that I have failed to give due credit to the gallant men 
who fought on either side, it will be to me a source of 
lasting regret. I have not hesitated to give my per- 
sonal testimony when it seemed necessary. 

The story of Stuart's early life has been given to 
me by members of his family. The history of his 
campaigns has been compiled from the Official Records 
of both armies. I have not attempted a narrative I 

of the Mine Run campaign, because it has not been 
convenient to obtain access to the Federal reports. 
The last chapter is, of necessity, somewhat personal 
in character, and is drawn largely from my own 
memory. 

I am greatly indebted to Colonel Robert N. Scott, 
who presides over the War Records Office in Wash- 
ington, for copies of the official reports, and for many 



iv PREFACE. 

facts not contained in the reports, which have been 
determined by special search among the archives. For 
similar valuable assistance I owe thanks to the Rev. 
J. William Jones, D. D., Secretary of the Southern 
Historical Society, Richmond, Va. 

For kind and courteous attentions, and for valua- 
ble information, I am indebted to a number of officers 
of the Federal army, among whom I beg to mention 
General John S. Simonson, General D. McM. Gregg, 
General T. F. Rodenbough, General Wesley Merritt, 
General G. K. Warren, Colonel A. C. M. Pennington, 
Colonel William Brooke-Rawle, Colonel John P. Nich- 
olson, and Colonel W. S. Newhall. Captain George N. 
Bliss, of Providence, R. I., whose enviable reputation as 
a member of the 1st Rhode Island Cavalry is well 
known, has been untiring in his efforts to secure for me 
information on several important points. I am also 
indebted to many of my comrades in arms, whose names 
are generally mentioned, in the text of the work, in 
connection with the data they have supplied. Hon. M. 
C. Butler, United States Senator from South Carolina, 
and Colonel W. W. Blackford and Major B. S. White, 
of General Stuart's staff, have given to me much of 
the material contained in the chapter on the Cham- 
bersburg raid. 

To the Chief of Engineers United States Army I am 
indebted for the official maps of Gettysburg, Chan- 
cellorsville, the Wilderness, and other localities ; and 
to the Post Office Department, for maps of the postal 
routes in Pennsylvania and Maryland. From these 
and other reliable authorities, my maps have been 



PREFACE. Y 

compiled by my brother, Carswell McClellan, civil en- 
gineer, formerly of the staff of Major-General A. A. 
Humphreys. The map of the Battle of Fredericks- 
burg has been recently revised by its author, Colonel 
William W. Blackford. 



CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER I. 

ANCESTRY, BOYHOOD, AND YOUTH. 

Archibald Stuart, of Londonderry, Ireland. — Major Alexander Stu- 
art. — Judge Alexander Stuart. — Honorable Archibald Stuart, of 
Patrick County, Va. — Giles Letcher. — Stephen Letcher. — Wil- 
liam Letcher, of Patrick County, Va. — Elizabeth Letcher Pan- 
nill, wife of Archibald Stuart, and mother of J. E. B. Stuart. — 
Laurel Hill, the old homestead. — At Emory and Henry College. 
— Cadet at West Point 



CHAPTER II. 

IN TEXAS WITH THE MOUNTED RIFLEMEN. 

Letter from General John S. Simonson, formerly Major, commanding 
the Mounted Riflemen. — Letters from Stuart to " The Jeff erso- 
nian," and to his brother. — Promoted as 2d Lieutenant and trans- 
ferred to the 1st Cavalry. — Major Simonson's testimonial ... 10 

CHAPTER m. 
LIFE ON THE FRONTIER. 

Regimental Quartermaster and Commissary at Fort Leavenworth. — 
Marriage to Miss Flora Cooke. — Promoted as 1st Lieutenant. — 
Battle of Solomon's Creek. — Stuart's Diary 19 

CHAPTER IV. 

THE JOHN BROWN RAID. 

Appointed aid to Colonel Robert E. Lee. — Letter to his mother nar- 
rating the capture of John Brown 28 



yiii CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER V. 

FIRST MANASSAS; DRANESVILLE. 

Resigns his commission in the United States army. — His commis- 
sions in the Confederate army. — The affair at Falling Waters. 

— Captures a company of infantry. — The First Battle of Manas- 
sas, — General J. A. Early's narrative. — Charges of Colonel Rad- 
ford's regiment. — Outpost duty at Mason's and Munson's hills. 

— The affair at Lewinsville. — General Joseph E. Johnston's rec- 
ommendation. — Organization of Stuart's brigade. — The Battle 
of Dranesville 31 

CHAPTER VI. 

WILLIAMSBURG; SEVEN PINES. 

Evacuation of Yorktown. — Stuart retires to Williamsburg by the 
river beach. — Wickham's fight on the Telegraph Road. — Seven 
Pines 47 

CHAPTER VR • 

THE CHICKAHOMINY RAID. 

General R. E. Lee's orders. — Skirmish at Totopotomoy Creek. — 
Fight with Captain Royall's command. — Death of Latane. — 
Capture of the Federal camp at Old Church. — Movements of the 
Federal cavalry and infantry. — Transports burned at Putney's 
Ferry. — Capture of wagon trains at Tunstall's Station. — March 
to Talleysville and Forge Bridge. — Unsuccessful attempt to 
cross the Chickahominy at Sycamore Springs. — Stuart rebuilds 
the bridge and crosses at Forge Bridge. — His ride from Charles 
City Court House to Richmond. — The results of the expedition. 

— The burial of Latane. — Recommendations for promotion for 
gallantry on the expedition. — General R. E. Lee's congratulatory 
order 52 

CHAPTER VIII. 
THE SEVEN DAYS' BATTLES AROUND RICHMOND. 

Jackson's march to Beaver Dam Creek. — The Battle of Mechanics- 
ville. — The Battle of Cold Harbor. — Attack on the gunboat Mar- 
blehead at the White House. — Reconnoissance by Colonel L. S. 
Baker on the Charles City Road. — Jackson at White Oak Swamp. 4 

— Stuart at Evelington Heights. — Colonel W. H. Taylor's Criti- 
cism 72 



/ 

/ 



CONTENTS. ix 

CHAPTER IX. 

THE SECOND MANASSAS CAMPAIGN. 

Organization of Hampton's and Fitz Lee's brigades. — The Battle of 
Cedar Run. — Stuart's expedition to Massaponax Church. — 
Loses his hat and cloak at Verdiersville. — Fight of Robertson's 
brigade at Brandy Station. — Raid to Catlett's Station, and cap- 
ture of Pope's baggage. — Munford captures Bristoe Station. — 
Capture of Manassas Junction. — Battle at Groveton. — The 
Horse Artillery participates. — Death of Major William Patrick. 
— Stuart uses artillery on the right flank. — Cavalry fight near 
the Lewis House. — Death of Captain J. Hardeman Stuart. — 
Pursuit of Pope's army. — Battle of Ox Hill. — Fight at Lees- 
burg with Means' cavalry . . . ". 86 

CHAPTER X. 

THE FIRST MARYLAND CAMPAIGN. 

Stuart covers the front of the army in Maryland. — Munford's fight 
at Poolesville. — Fight at Monocacy Church. — Movements of the 
army to capture Harper's Ferry. — The Federal army advances 
on Frederick. — Hampton's fight at Frederick. — He retires 
through Middletown. — Munford is pressed back to Crampton's 
Gap, and is relieved by Hampton's attack. — Critical situation of 
Lee's army. — The battle at Crampton's Gap. — Stuart at Mary- 
land Heights. — Escape of the Federal cavalry from Harper's 
Ferry. — The fall of Harper's Ferry. • — Stuart conveys the news 
to the army. — Fitz Lee's fight at Boonsboro'. — Narrow es- 
cape of Colonel W. H. F. Lee. — The Battle of Sharpsburg. — 
The scene after the battle. — The cavalry covers the withdrawal 
of the army. — Incident at the ford. — Attack by the enemy at 
Boteler's Ford. — Stuart's demonstration at Williamsport . . . 110 

CHAPTER XI. 

THE CHAMBERSBURG RAID. 

The rendezvous at Darksville. — Stuart's address to his troops. — 
Crosses the Potomac at McCoy's Ferry. — Capture of the Signal 
Station at Fairview. — Advance to Mercersburg. — Incidents of 
the march. — Occupation of Chambersburg. — The strict order 
which was maintained among the Confederate troops. — Colonel 
A. K. McClure's description of the events of the night. — The 
march to Emmittsburg. — The movements of the Federal cavalry. 
— Incidents of the march from Emmittsburg to White's Ford. — 
Stuart holds Pleasonton at the Little Monocacy, while his cav- 
alry crosses at White's Ford. — Incident at the ford. — Narrow 



X CONTENTS. 

escape of the rear-guard under Colonel M. C. Butler. — A re- 
markable march. — The results of the expedition. — Its effect upon 
the Federal cavalry. — The reasons of Stuart's success. — The dis- 
positions of Stoneman's command. — The conduct of Lieutenant- 
Colonel Edwin R. Biles. — Stuart's visit to Urbanna 136 

CHAPTER XII. 
FROM THE VALLEY TO FREDERICKSBURG. 

Reconnoissance to Smithfield and Charlestown by Generals Hum- 
phreys and Hancock. — McClellan's army advances into Vir- 
ginia. — Stuart crosses the mountains at Snicker's Gap. — Sur- 
prises the Federal picket at Mountsville. — Fight at Aldie with 
Bayard's cavalry. — Skirmish with Pleasonton near Philemont. — 
Battle at Philemont and Union. — The brilliant service of Pel- 
ham's artillery. — Reports of General Pleasonton, Colonel Hof- 
man, and General Stuart. — Stuart retires to Upperville. — The 
hVht at Upperville. — The fight at Markham's Station. — The 
fight at Barbee's Cross-Roads. — Colonel J. B. Gordon's report. — 
Stuart's reconnoissance to Amissville. — His tribute to the mem- 
ory of Pelham. — Organization of the cavalry brigades. — The 
Federal army moves towards Fredericksburg. — Hampton's scout 
to Hartwood Church. — He captures two squadrons of the 3d 
Pennsylvania Cavalry. — Major T. Weller, 9th Virginia Cavalry, 
captures a picket near Port Royal. — Hampton's raid to Dumfries. 

— Hampton's raid to Occoquan. — He captures a part of Sigel's 
train at the ferry. — The Battle of Fredericksburg. — Disposi- 
tions of the cavalry. — Letter of Lieutenant R. Channing Price, 
describing Stuart's movements. — Pelham's gallantry. — The 
Dumfries Raid. — The positions of the Federal troops. — Stuart 
divides his command into three columns. — The fight at Dumfries. 

— The death of Captain J. N. Bullock, 5th Virginia Cavalry. — 
Hampton attacks Occoquan. — Colonel Butler's narrow escape at 
Bacon Race Church. — The fight at Greenwood Church and at 
Selectman's Ford. — Stuart cuts the telegraph at Burke's Station. 

— The affair at Fairfax Court House. — The return march . . 167 

CHAPTER XIII. 

KELLYSVILLE. 

Fitz Lee's reconnoissance on the Falmouth road. — He attacks and 
defeats the Federal cavalry at Hartwood Church. — Extracts from 
the diary of Lieutenant-Colonel W. R. Carter, 3d Virginia Cavalry. 

— The Battle of Kellysville. — General Averell's orders, and the 
dispositions of his command. — Severe fight at Kelly's Ford. — 
Lieutenant Brown, 1st Rhode Island Cavalry, forces the passage 
of the ford. — Fitz Lee advances to meet Averell, — He attacks 



CONTENTS. x i 

him near the ford. — Charge of the 3d Virginia Cavalry. — The 
death of Pelham. — Unsuccessful attempt of the 3d and 5th Vir- 
ginia Cavalry to drive the enemy from Wheatly's house. — Death 
of Major Puller, 5th Virginia Cavalry. — Charges of the 1st, 2d, 
and 4th Virginia Cavalry. — Major Cary Breckinridge is captured. 

— Fitz Lee retires to Carter's Run. — Charge of the brigade in 
line of battle. — Dangerous situation of Fitz Lee's brigade. — 
Averell withdraws and recrosses the river. — The result of the 
battle. — Instances of personal gallantry. — Stuart is present but 
does not assume the command 203 

CHAPTER XIV. 
CHANCELLORSVILLE. 

The Federal cavalry under Stoneman. — Hooker's plans for the cam- 
paign of 1863. — Concentration of the Federal cavalry at Morris- 
ville. — The small force under Stuart's command. — Buford's 
demonstration at Kelly's Ford. — Gregg threatens the upper fords. 

— Despatches from Hooker to Stoneman. — President Lincoln's 
letter to Hooker. — The fight at Beverly's Ford. — Failure of 
Stoneman's movement. — Movements preliminary to the Battle of 
Chancellorsville. — The 5th, 11th, and 13th army corps cross at 
Kelly's Ford. — The Confederate cavalry is concentrated at 
Brandy Station. — The 11th and 13th corps move on Germanna 
Ford; the 5th corps on Ely's Ford. — The fight at Willis Mad- 
den's. — Dispositions of Stuart's cavalry. — Answer to the criti- 
cisms of the Hon. Mr. Cameron. — Fitz Lee crosses the Rapidan at 
Raccoon Ford. — Colonel T. H. Owen's fight at Wilderness Run. 

— Stuart attacks the enemy's column near Wilderness Tavern. — 
The night fight near Todd's Tavern. — General R. E. Lee moves 
his army toward Chancellorsville. — The Horse Artillery in action 
near the Welford Furnace. — The death of Major R. Channing 
Price. — Stuart covers Jackson's flank movement. — Lieutenant- 
Colonel W. R. Carter, 3d Virginia Cavalry, at the Welford Fur- 
nace. — Fitz Lee's reconnoissance on the enemy's right flank. — 
He conducts Jackson to a post of observation. — Jackson attacks 
the 11th corps. — The Horse Artillery under Breathed and John- 
ston advance with Jackson's infantry. — Stuart takes the 16th 
North Carolina Infantry to Ely's Ford. — Makes preparations to 
attack Averell's camp. — He is called by the fall of Jackson to the 

^-'command of the 2d corps. — The critical situation of Jackson's 
corps. — The movements and positions of Jackson's brigades. — 
General Sickles' position at the Welford Furnace. — The charge 
of the 8th Pennsylvania Cavalry. — Pleasonton checks the Confed- 
erate advance. — Report of Colonel Winn, 8th Georgia regiment. 

— Narrow escape of Lieutenant Thompson, of Pleasonton's staff. 

— The small force of Confederates engaged on their right of the 



xii CONTENTS. 

road. — General Rodes' report. — General Lane's report. — Let- 
ter from General Lane. — The position of the troops when Jack- 
son was wounded. — The positions of the Federal troops. — Move- 
ments of the Confederate brigades after Jackson was wounded. — 
Sickles' night attack. — The threatening position held by Sickles. 
— Stuart assumes command about midnight. — Colonel E. P. Al- 
exander makes reconnoissance of the field. — His report. — Stuart 
attacks at daylight. — The struggle for the possession of Hazel 
Grove. — The result. — Stuart's personal bearing. — Review of 
the battle of the 3d of May. — Extract from Dabney's "Life of 
Jackson." — Jackson's plans. — The attack on the 3d could only 
have been made by the right of Jackson's corps. — Letter from 
General E. P. Alexander 218 

CHAPTER XV. 

THE BATTLE OF FLEETWOOD. 

The difficulties under which the Southern cavalry labored. — The cav- 
alry reviews near Brandy Station. — Stuart prepares to protect 
Lee's flank while his army moves northward. — Description of the 
field near St. James' Church. — Stuart bivouacks on the Fleetwood 
Hill. — Concentration of Pleasonton's cavalry at Beverly's and Kel- 
ly's fords. — He divides his command into two columns. — Colonel 

B. F. Davis, of the 8th New York Cavalry, leads the advance across 
Beverly's Ford. — His success, and his death. — Charge by Major 

C. E. Flournoy, 6th Virginia Cavalry. — The critical situation of 
the Horse Artillery. — Gallant action of Hart's battery. — Charge 
of the 7th Virginia Cavalry. — Hampton and W. H. F. Lee ar- 
rive on the field. — Their positions. — W. H. F. Lee is attacked. — 
Hampton and Jones advance. — Brilliant charge of the 6th Penn- 
sylvania and the 6th United States Cavalry. The 2d South Car- 
olina Cavalry and the 4th Virginia Cavalry are sent to Stevens- 
burg. — The situation at Fleetwood Hill. — General Gregg gains 
the Confederate rear at Brandy Station. — His attack is delayed 
by Lieutenant Carter's howitzer. — Charge of the 1st New Jersey 
Cavalry.— Charge of the 12th Virginia Cavalry, and of White's 
battalion. — The contest for the possession of the Fleetwood Hill. 
— Gallantry of the 6th New York battery. — Captain J. W. Mar- 
tin's report. — Hampton and Jones withdraw from St. James' 
Church. — Charge of the 6th Virginia Cavalry.— Major Flour- 
noy's report. — Lieutenant J. Wade Wilson's report. — Hamp- 
ton arrives at Fleetwood. — Charge of the 1st North Carolina Cav- 
alry and of the Jeff Davis Legion. — Charge of the Cobb Georgia 
Legion and the 1st South Carolina Cavalry. — Colonel P. M. B. 
Young's report. — The Horse Artillery reaches the crest of Fleet- 
wood Hill. — The 1st New Jersey charges through the guns. — 
Major Hart's narrative. — Charge of the 11th Virginia Cavalry. — 



CONTENTS. xiil 

Final repulse of Gregg's division. — The position held by W. H. 
F. Lee enables Stuart to withdraw Hampton and Jones to meet 
Gregg. — Stuart's new line. — W. H. F. Lee withdraws to it. — 
The position of Lee's regiments. — Buford envelops his left, and 
serious fighting results. — Charge of the 6th Pennsylvania and the 
2d United States Cavalry. — Charge of the 9th, 10th, and 13th 
Virginia Cavalry. — General Beale's account of the fight. — Gen- 
eral W. H. F. Lee is wounded. — Death of Colonel Sol. Williams. 
— Colonel J. R. Chambliss takes command of the brigade. — Mun- 
ford arrives with Fitz Lee's brigade. — Pleasonton orders Buford 
to withdraw. — The Battle at Stevensburg. — Colonel M. C. But- 
ler moves his regiment toward Stevensburg. — Lieutenant- Colonel 
Frank Hampton charges a squadron of the enemy. — Butler takes 
position on Hansborough Mount. — Duffid's division advances and 
attacks Butler. — Arrival of the 4th Virginia Cavalry. — Unfor- 
tunate situation of the regiment. — Duffie makes a successful 
charge. — Lieutenant-Colonel Frank Hampton is mortally wound- 
ed. — The 4th Virginia fails to rally. — Instances of gallantry on 
the part of men of the 2d South Carolina. — Major Lipscomb's re- 
port. — Butler withdraws to Mountain Run. — Butler is wounded, 
and Captain Farley is killed by the same shell. — Hon. Jno. T. 
Rhett's narrative. — Duffie is recalled from Stevensburg. — The 
losses. — The forces engaged. — The results. — None of Stuart's 
papers were captured. — The Confederate infantry did not arrive 
until the close of the battle 257 



CHAPTER XVI. 
ALDIE; MIDDLEBURG; UPPERVILLE. 

The movements of Stuart's brigades. — The Battle at Aldie. The 

Federal troops engaged. — Munford's strong position. — Captain 
Boston's squadron is captured. — Unsuccessful efforts to dislodge 
Munford. — The losses. — Munford is ordered by Stuart to retire. 
— Colonel Duffie crosses Bull Run Mountain at Thoroughfare 
Gap and moves on Middleburg. — He drives Stuart from Mid- 
dleburg. — He prepares to defend himself. — He is driven from 
Middleburg by Robertson's brigade. — He is surrounded during 
the night by Chambliss' command. — Heavy loss in the 1st Rhode 
Island Cavalry. — Dispositions of Stuart's command. — Mosby 
captures an officer of Hooker's staff with despatches. — Gregg's 
division attacks Stuart on the Middleburg pike on the 19th. — 
Stuart withdraws to a new line. — Major Heros Von Borcke is 
wounded. — Arrival of Jones' and Hampton's brigades. — Stuart 
is compelled to occupy three roads. — The battle of the 21st of 
June. — Stuart loses a Blakely gun. — He retires toward Upper- 
ville. — The fight at Upperville. — Buford's report. — W. E. Jones' 



xiv CONTENTS. 

report. — Hampton's narrative. — The death of Colonel P. G. 
Evans. — The losses from the 17th to the 21st of June .... 296 



CHAPTER XVH. 

GETTYSBUKG. 

Stuart proposes to pass around the rear of the Federal army into Penn- 
sylvania. — Mosby's statement in regard to Stuart's plan. — The 
circumstances under which Stuart received his orders. — The 
nature of the orders. — Stuart selects the brigades of Hampton, 
Fitz Lee, and W. H. F. Lee to accompany him. — His probable 
reasons. — The relations existing between Stuart and W. E. Jones. 

— Stuart moves to Haymarket. — He discovers the march of Han- 
cock's corps. — He withdraws to Buckland, and marches to Wolf 
Run Shoals and Fairfax Court House. — The fight at Fairfax 
Court House. — The death of Major Whitaker, of the 1st North 
Carolina Cavalry. — Stuart crosses the Potomac at Rowser's Ford. 

— The difficult passage of the river. — Capture of a wagon train 
near Rockville. — Capture and parole of prisoners. — Destruction 
on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. — The figbt at Westminster. 

— Death of Lieutenants Gibson and Murray, of the 4th Virginia 
Cavalry. — The Battle at Hanover. — The night march to Jeffer- 
son. — Stuart reaches Carlisle, and marches thence to Gettysburg. 

— Hampton's fight at Hunterstown. — Was Stuart's movement 
around the Federal army an error in strategy? — The question dis- 
cussed. — Jenkins' brigade is added to Stuart's command. — Stu- 
art takes position on the Confederate left flank. — The cavalry 
battle on the left flank. — The losses. — Conflicting testimony as 
to the result of the melee which closed the battle. — Stuart covers 
the retreat of Lee's army. — The fight at Fairfield on the 3d. — 
Heavy loss in the 6th United States Cavalry. — Destruction of 
part of Ewell's trains near Monterey. — Stuart's report. — Gen- 
eral W. E. Jones' report. — Gallantry of Captain G. M. Emack, 
1st Maryland Cavalry. — Buford and Kilpatrick move against the 
wagon trains at Williamsport. — Stuart's report. — The fight at 
Hagerstown. — The fi<iht between Hagerstown and Williamsport. 

— The trains are saved. — Kilpatrick's statements and report. — 
Buford's report. — Fight of the 7th Virginia Cavalry near Funks- 
town. — Colonel Marshall's report. — Report of Lieutenant Nicho- 
las Nolan, 6th United States Cavalry. — The fights at Boonsboro', 
Beaver Creek, and Funkstown. — Days of hardship. — Personal 
incidents. — The affair at Falling Waters. — Lee recrosses the 
Potomac. — The Battle at Shepherdstown. — The death of Colo- 
nel James H. Drake, of the 1st Virginia Cavalry. — The close of 

the campaign 315 



CONTENTS. xv 

CHAPTER XVIII. 

THE BRISTOE CAMPAIGN. 
Organization of Hampton's and Fitz Lee's divisions. — Advance of 
the Federal army into Culpeper. — Gallant exploit of Captain 

Thompson. — Major Flournoy's charge at Rapidan Station. 

The Jack's Shop fight. — Lieutenant- Colonel George St. Lecker 

Grenfell. — General Lee's army moves into Madison County. 

The fight at Bethsaida Church. — The fight at James City. 

The fight at Culpeper Court House. — Fitz Lee's movement from 
Raccoon Ford to Brandy Station. — The race between Stuart and 

Kilpatrick for Brandy Station. — The Battle at Brandy Station. 

Rosser and Young are pushefi back to Culpeper Court House. — 
The fight near Jefferson. — The passage of the ford at Warrenton 
Springs. — Stuart advances to Catlett's Station. — His command 
is inclosed between two marching columns of the enemy. — An 
anxious night. — The fight in the morning. — The death of Colo- 
nel Ruffin, 1st North Carolina Cavalry. — "The Buckland Races " 371 

CHAPTER XIX. 

THE WINTER OF 1863-64. 

The Federal army occupies Culpeper. — The Mine Run campaign. — 
Custer's raid to Charlottesville. — Gallant action of the Horse Ar- 
tillery. — Ineffectual attempt to intercept the raiders. — Kilpat- 
rick's raid on Richmond. — Hampton drives bim from his camp at 
night. — The death of Colonel Ulric Dahlgren, and the capture 
of his command. — The " Dahlgren Papers " 397 

CHAPTER XX. 

THE DEATH OF STUART. 

The opening of the Wilderness campaign. — Severe cavalry engage- 
ments on the right flank. — Fitz Lee resists the advance of the 
5th corps on Spottsylvania Court House. — Remarkable exploit 
of Major James Breathed. — Stuart in charge of the left of Ander- 
son's line. — Sheridan's cavalry moves on Richmond. — The fights 
at Jarrald's Mill and Mitchell's Shop. — The death of Captain 
George H. Matthews, 3d Virginia Cavalry. — The pursuit to Bea- 
ver Dam. — The Battle at the Yellow Tavern. — The closing 



406 



APPENDIX .418 



LIST OF MAPS. 



Map of the Vicinity of Richmond, — Illustrating the Chicka- 
hominy raid and the movements of the cavalry in the Seven Days' 
Battles around Richmond (In Cover Pocket.) 

Map of the Routes of the Cavalry Division in the 
Chambersburg Raid and in the Gettysburg Campaign 

(In Cover Pocket.) 

Map of the Vicinity of Brandy Station, — Illustrating the 
Battle of Fleetwood (In Cover Pocket.) 

Map of Parts of Loudon and Fauquier Counties .... 169 

Map of the Battle of Fredericksburg 190 

Map of the Vicinity of Kelly's Ford, — Illustrating the bat- 
tle of the 17th of March, 1863 206 

Map of Chancellorsville, — Illustrating the battle of the 3d 

of May, 1863 248 




THE LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS 



OF 



MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 



CHAPTER I. 

ANCESTRY, BOYHOOD AND YOUTH. 

James Ewell Brown Stuart was born in Patrick 
County, Virginia, on the 6th of February, 1833. 

His ancestry is traced on his father's side to Archi- 
bald Stuart, a native of Londonderry, Ireland, but of 
Scotch-Presbyterian parentage, who, about the year 
1726, was compelled by religious persecution to fly 
from his native country. He found refuge in west- 
ern Pennsylvania, where he remained in seclusion for 
seven years. At the expiration of this period the pas- 
sage of an act of amnesty rendered it safe for him to 
disclose his hiding-place, and his wife and children 
joined him in his new home. About the year 1738 
he removed from Pennsylvania to Augusta County, 
Va., where he acquired large landed estates, which, 
either during his lifetime or by will, he divided among 
his four children. 

His second son and third child, Major Alexander 
Stuart, was early in the Revolutionary War commis- 
sioned as major in Colonel Samuel McDowell's regi- 
ment, in which he served throughout the war. During 



2 M UOR GENKRA1 J, E, B, STV I R /'. 

Colonol McDowell's illness he oommanded the regiment 
.ii the battle of Guilford Court House. Two horses 
were killed under him in this action, and he himself, 
dangeroush woundod, was leit upon the field and loll 
into the hands of the enemy. He was subsequent!) 
exchanged, and his sword was returned to him. This 
valued relic is now in the possession of his grandson, 
the lion. Alexander II 11 Stuart, of Virginia. Major 
Stuart was o warm friend oi education, and aided lib- 
erally in the endowment o\ the Bohool which afterwards 
expanded into Washington College, and is now known 
as Washington and Lee University, lie was a man of 
large stature and uncommon intelligence, lie died at 
the ad\ anred age of ninety \ ears. 

Judge Alexander Stuart, the youngest son of Major 
Alexander Stuart, was a lawyer by profession. He 
resided for some years in Cumberland County, \ a.. 
but having been eleoted a member oi the Executive 
Council of the State, removed thenoe to Richmond. 
He subsequently resided in Illinois, where he held the 
office of United States Judge; and in Missouri, where 
he hold office as United States Judge, Judge o\ the 

Circuit Court o\ the State, and Speaker of the Missouri 
1 -islature. lie died m Staunton. Ya.. in 1832, and 

■ there buried, 

The Hen. Archibald Stuart. o\ Patrick County, Ya.. 
the eldest sen of Judge Alexander Smart and the 
father ot General .' R B Stuart, was an officer in 
the United States Armv in the War of L812. He em- 
braced the profession o\ law. Throughout his long 
and eventful life he was actively engaged in the prac- 
tice ot his profession and in political life. He repre- 
sented, first, the county of Campbell in the Virginia 
1 ogislature, and was repeatedly eleeted to both hranehes 
of that boi\\ from the eount\ of Patrick, lie was i 



//is /• i // RNAL [NCESTRY, 8 

member of the Constitutional Convention of L829-30, 
and of the Convention <>f I860. In this latter body, 
he and the Hon. Henry A. Wise were two of the four 
members residing east of the Blue Ridge who advocated 
a " white basis " of representation for the State. He 
represented the Patrick districl in the Federal Con 
gress during the Nullification agitation, and was a 
strong supporter of Mr. Calhoun in that crisis. He is 
represented as a man of splendid talents and wonder- 
ful versatility. "A powerful orator and advocate, he 
charmed the multitude on the hustings, and convinced 
juries :iikI courts. In addition to these gifts, he was 
one of the most charming social companions the State 
ever produced. Possessing wonderful wii and humor, 
combined with rare gift for song, he at once became 
the centre of attraction at everv social gathering. 
Among the people of the oounties where he practised 

his name is held in great respect, and his me ry 

is cherished with an affection rarely equalled in the 
history of any public man." 

He married Elizabeth Letcher Pannill, of Pittsyl- 
vania County, \ ;i.. by whom he had four sons and six 
daughters. Among these, James E, B. Stuart was the 
sc\ mill child and 3 oungest son. 

On his mother's side the ancestry of General Stuart 
is not less disl inguished. 

Giles Letcher was descended fromancienl Welsh fam- 
ilies - the Hughses, Gileses, and Leches. He was born 
in [reland, i<> which country one of his ancestors had 
removed from Wales during the reign of Charles the 
Second. He emigrated to the New World before the 
Revolutionary War, and was married in Richmond, 
\ a., to Miss Hannah Hughes, a lady of fortune and of 
Welsh extraction. He settled in Goochland County, 

\ a. lie had lour sons and one daughter. His eldest 



4 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

son, Stephen Letcher, was the father of Governor 
Robert P. Letcher, of Kentucky. His third son, John 
Letcher, married the daughter of the Hon. Sam 
Houston, of Texas, and was the father of Governor 
John Letcher, of Virginia. His second son, William 
Letcher, removed to Pittsylvania County, Va., where 
he married Elizabeth Perkins, daughter of Nicholas 
Perkins, who owned a considerable estate upon the 
Dan River. He finally settled in Patrick County, on 
the Ararat, a small stream which rises in the Blue 
Ridge and empties into the Yadkin River in North Car- 
olina. 

The settlers in that part of Virginia were greatly 
annoyed by the Tories, who were numerous in North 
Carolina, and many encounters had taken place between 
them and the Whis;s in that border land. William 
Letcher had served in a volunteer company from his 
county that had defeated the Tories at the battle of 
the Shallow Ford, on the Yadkin, a place which is still 
considered historic in that locality. This victory had 
inspired the Whigs with new courage ; and William 
Letcher, prominent among them, had openly expressed 
his determination to resist the robberies and depreda- 
tions of the Tories, and to hunt them down to the death. 
In the latter part of June, 1780, while Mrs. Letcher 
was in her house alone with her infant daughter, then 
only six weeks old, a stranger appeared at the door 
and inquired for Mr. Letcher. There was nothing un- 
usual in his manner, and Mrs. Letcher replied that her 
husband would soon be at home. While she was speak- 
ing, Mr. Letcher entered and invited the stranger to be 
seated. To this courtesy the stranger (he was a Tory 
named Nichols) replied by presenting his gun and say- 
ing: " I demand you in his Majesty's name." Letcher 
seized the gun to get possession of it; the Tory fired, 



HIS MATERNAL ANCESTRY. 5 

and Letcher fell mortally wounded. He survived a 
few moments, but never spoke. Nichols fled. The ter- 
ror-stricken wife despatched messengers to her relatives 
on the Dan River, who came to her as soon as possible, 
and attended to the burial of her husband. Nichols 
committed other murders and many robberies, but was 
finally overtaken in the southern part of North Caro- 
lina, and expiated his crimes on the gallows. 

William Letcher was a man of fine appearance, and 
was greatly beloved and esteemed. His widow returned 
to her paternal home, with her little daughter Bethe- 
nia, and there remained until her second marriage with 
Colonel George Hairston, of Henry County, Va. In 
after years Bethenia Letcher married David Pannill, 
of Pittsylvania County, Va. Her daughter, Elizabeth 
Letcher Pannill, married Archibald Stuart. 

She inherited from her grandfather, William Letcher, 
a beautiful and fertile farm in the southwestern part 
of Patrick County, which was named " Laurel Hill." 
Here her children were born. The large and comfort- 
able house was surrounded by native oaks and was 
beautified with a flower garden, which was one of the 
childish delights of her son James, to whom she had 
transmitted her own passionate love of flowers. The 
site commanded a fine view of the Blue Ridge Moun- 
tains, and near at hand was the monument erected to 
the memory of William Letcher by his daughter Be- 
thenia. 

Amid these surroundings James Stuart passed a 
happy boyhood. He loved the old homestead with all 
the enthusiasm of his nature ; and one of the fondest 
dreams of his manhood was that he might own the 
place of his birth, and there end his days in quiet 
retirement. He writes thus to his mother from Fort 
Leavenworth, in 1857 : — 



6 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

I wish to devote one hundred dollars to the purchase of a 
comfortable log church near your place, because in all my ob- 
servation I believe one is more needed in that neighborhood 
than any other that I know of ; and besides, " charity begins 
at home." Seventy-five of this one hundred dollars I have in 
trust for that purpose, and the remainder is my own contri- 
bution. If you will join me with twenty-five dollars, a contri- 
bution of a like amount from two or three others interested 
will build a very respectable free church. . . . What will 
you take for the south half of your plantation ? I want to 
buy it. 

A near relative writes : — 

I well remember his speaking thus to his brother in 1863 : 
" I would give anything to make a pilgrimage to the old place, 
and when the war is over quietly to spend the rest of my days 
there." 

At the age of fourteen years James Stuart was placed 
at school in Wytheville ; and in August, 1848, he en- 
tered Emory and Henry College. During a revival of 
religion among the students he professed conversion, 
and joined the Methodist Church. Throughout his after 
life he maintained a consistent Christian character. Ten 
years later, in 1859, he was confirmed in the Protestant 
Episcopal Church by Bishop Hawkes, in St. Louis. The 
reasons for this change in his church connections were 
simple and natural. His mother was an Episcopalian, 
and had early instilled into him a love for her own 
church. His wife was a member of the same commun- 
ion. He found, also, that a majority of the chaplains 
in the United States Army at that time were Episco- 
palian divines, and he considered that his opportunities 
for Christian fellowship and church privileges would be 
increased by the change. His spirit toward all denom- 
inations of Christians was as far removed as possible 
from narrow sectarianism. 

In April, 1850, James Stuart left Emory and Henry 



AS A CADET AT WEST POINT. 7 

College, having obtained an appointment as cadet in 
the United States Military Academy at West Point, on 
the recommendation of the Hon. T. H. Averett, of 
the Third District of Virginia. During his career as 
cadet, Stuart applied himself assiduously to study, and 
graduated thirteenth in a class of forty-six members. 
He appears to have been more ambitious of soldierly 
than of scholarly distinction, and held in succession the 
cadet offices of corporal, sergeant, orderly sergeant, 
captain of the second company, and cavalry sergeant ; 
the last being the highest office in that arm of the ser- 
vice at the Academy. General Fitzhugh Lee speaks 
thus of this period : — 

I recall his distinguishing characteristics, which were a 
strict attention to his military duties, an erect, soldierly bear- 
ing, an immediate and almost thankful acceptance of a chal- 
lenge to fight from any cadet who might in any way feel 
himself aggrieved, and a clear, metallic, ringing voice. 1 

The reader must not suppose from this description 
that Stuart was an advocate of the duel. The diffi- 
culties referred to were of such a character as are 
always liable to occur between boys at school, especially 
where, under a military organization, boys bear author- 
ity over boys. Another fellow-cadet gives the testi- 
mony that Stuart was known as a " Bible-class man," 
but was always ready to defend his own rights or his 
honor ; and that the singular feature of his encounters 
with his fellow-students was, that his antagonists were 
physically far superior to him, and that although gen- 
erally worsted in the encounter, Stuart always gained 
ground in the estimation of his fellows by his manly 
pluck and endurance. What his conduct was under 
these circumstances may be inferred from the following 
extracts from letters written by his father, who was a 

1 Southern Historical Society Papers, vol. i. p. 100. 



8 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

man of prudence and of honor. Under date of June 
15, 1853, Archibald Stuart thus writes to his son : — 

I am proud to say that your conduct has given me entire 
satisfaction. I heard, it is true (but no thanks to you for the 
information), of the little scrape in which you involved your- 
self ; but I confess, from what I understand of the transaction, 
I did not consider you so much to blame. An insult should be 
resented under all circumstances. If a man in your circum- 
stances gains credit by submitting to insult as a strict observer 
of discipline, he loses more in proportion in his standing as a 
gentleman and a man of courage. 

Again on January 5, 1854, he writes : — 

I have received your letter, and much regret that you have 
been involved in another fighting scrape. My dear son, I can 
excuse more readily a fault of the sort you have committed, in 
which you maintained your character as a man of honor and 
courage, than almost any other. But I hope you will here- 
after, as far as possible, avoid getting into difficulties in which 
such maintenance may be demanded at your hands. 

The relations existing between the father and son, as 
revealed by their correspondence during Stuart's cadet- 
ship, were of the most admirable character. Mutual 
affection was founded on mutual respect. As the time 
of graduation approached, the minds of both were 
greatly exercised over the important question of a 
choice of profession; and while the father seems to 
have preferred that his son should adopt the profession 
of arms, he throws the responsibility of the decision 
on his son, as the one most interested in, and the one 
most capable of making, a wise decision. The religious 
element in Stuart's character seems to have had a de- 
cided influence at this crisis of his life, and he was 
doubtless led to his decision by that Providence in 
which he trusted, and which was even then preparing 
him for his after life. During his last year at West 
Point he writes thus to his father : — 



HE MAKES CHOICE OF HIS PROFESSION. 9 

I have not as yet any fixed course determined upon after 
graduation ; still I can't help but regard it as the important 
crisis of my life. Two courses will be left for my adoption, 
the profession of arms and that of law ; the one securing an 
ample support, with a life of hardship and uncertainty, — lau- 
rels, if any, dearly bought, and leaving an empty title as a 
bequeathment; the other an overcrowded thoroughfare, which 
may or may not yield a support, — may possibly secure honors, 
but of doubtful worth. Each has its labors and its rewards. 
In making the selection I will rely upon the guidance of Him 
whose judgment cannot err, for "it is not with man that walk- 
eth to direct his steps." 

After Stuart had fairly embarked on his military 
career his father writes thus : — 

Before I conclude I must express the deep solicitude I feel 
on your account. Just embarking in military life (a life which 
tests, perhaps more than any other, a young man's prudence 
and steadiness), at an immense distance from your friends, 
great responsibility rests upon your shoulders. It is true that 
you have, to start with, good morals fortified by religion, a 
good temper, and a good constitution, which if preserved will 
carry you through the trial safely. But the temptations of a 
camp to a young man of sanguine temperament, like yourself, 
are not to be trifled with or despised. I conjure you to be 
constantly on your guard, repelling and avoiding the slightest 
approach towards vice or immorality. You have to go through 
a fiery ordeal, but it is one through which many great and 
pious men have gone unscathed. But the greater portion have 
not escaped unscorched, and many have perished. Your mili- 
tary training at West Point will strengthen you greatly in the 
struggle. By it you have been taught the necessity of strict 
subordination to superiors, and of kind and conciliatory man- 
ners toward equals ; and I trust that you will carry those 
lessons into practice now that you have exchanged the Acad- 
emy for the camp. 

Words of wisdom are these ; words which the young 
man laid close to his heart. No stain of vice or im- 
morality was ever found upon him. 



CHAPTER II. 

IN TEXAS WITH THE MOUNTED EIFLEMEN. 

Immediately after graduation Stuart was commis- 
sioned as brevet second lieutenant in the regiment of 
Mounted Riflemen then serving in Texas. His commis- 
sion is dated July 1, 1854. Owing to the prevalence 
of the yellow fever in New Orleans, through which city 
he must necessarily pass on his way to Texas, he was 
unable to join his regiment until December of that 
year. In the mean time he was commissioned as sec- 
ond lieutenant on October 31, 1854. 

Almost the only information concerning this portion 
of Stuart's career comes from General John S. Simon- 
son, formerly major of the Mounted Riflemen, who now 
passes in retirement the remaining years of a life of 
honorable activity in the service of his country. The 
following letter needs no further explanation : — 

Charlestown, Ind., December 27, 1880. 
H. B. McClellan, Lexington, Ky. : 

SlB,, — In reply to your inquiry for information as to Gen- 
eral Stuart's services in the expedition against the Apache 
Indians in the years 1854 and 1855, I have to state that J. E. 
B. Stuart, then a second lieutenant, joined my command at 
Fort Clark, Texas, in December, 1854, and continued with it 
until May 8, 1855, when he was relieved to take advantage of 
his promotion to the 1st Cavalry. In the order relieving him 
I gave expression to the estimation in which he was held in 
complimentary terms, highly creditable to his character as a 
soldier and a gentleman. My order-book is lost, and I have 



EXPEDITION AGAINST THE APACHE IN9IANS. H 

no copy of that order. A copy was furnished Lieutenant 
Stuart, and may be among his papers. 

Lieutenant Stuart was brave and gallant, always prompt in 
the execution of orders, and reckless of danger or exposure. 
I considered him at that time one of the most promising vouner 
officers in the United States Army. The expedition continued 
on duty in the mountains and valleys of western Texas, the 
El Paso Road, and the borders of the Rio Grande, until Octo- 
ber, 1855. A large portion of country, little known at that 
day, was explored, and the Muscalero Apaches made to flee 
across the Rio Grande into Mexico. It would take a volume 
to contain the history of that expedition, — its scouts, marches, 
skirmishes, and privations. I enclose herewith slips contain- 
ing a communication of Lieutenant Stuart to the Jeffersonian, 
a paper I think printed in Staunton, Va. It gives a full de- 
scription of the difficulties and privations encountered in one 
of the scouts. These slips were pasted in, and cut from, my 
morning-report book. Lieutenant Stuart wrote another com- 
munication, which was printed in some paper in Virginia or 
Texas, giving an account of a fight, at the crossing of the 
Peacus River, with a band of Comanche Indians, by a portion 
of the troops of this expedition. . . . 

Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

J. S. SlMONSON. 
[For the Jeffersonian.] 

Camp Stuart, Texas, Major Simonson's 
Command, February 15, 1855. 

Dear Sir, — On the 6th instant this command, of the 
operations and character of which you learned something in 
a former letter from Fort Clark, was divided into two par- 
ties, one of which, under command of Captain Elliot, was 
sent below Presidio del Norte, on the Rio Grande, where the 
Indians were reported to be ; while the main body, under 
command of the Major, started on the trail of a more numer- 
ous party, leading toward the Sierra Guadalupe. A few notes 
on this scout, though unsuccessful as regards finding Indians, 
yet embracing an extensive region of which but little was pre- 
viously known, may not be void of interest to the readers of 
the Jeffersonian. 



12 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

The narrow trail led in the direction of a very rugged range 
of mountains, a circumstance which determined the substitu- 
tion of pack-mules for wagons. The trail continued for about 
ten miles through a narrow ravine, surrounded by precipitous 
ridges of a species of red sandstone, which cropped out so fre- 
quently as to leave no space for vegetation except here and 
there a bunch of cactus of a singular variety. This ravine 
was soon headed by a high mountain, up whose steep side 
the trail wound its serpent way. Hardly had we reached the 
summit when a furious storm set in, first by a few prelim- 
inary di-ops, then in torrents of rain and bail. Welcome as 
was the change from six inches of dust to a refreshing shower, 
this time it came most inopportunely for the command, all of 
whom were well drenched with rain and benumbed with cold. 
Our march continued in this way for several miles, the storm 
so blinding us that we could scarcely discern the ground ; 
when suddenly, not only had we debouched upon a level plain, 
but every vestige of the storm had vanished save a few rain- 
drops which lingered on the grass. All nature rejoiced at the 
change, and the gorgeous splendor of a rainbow which hung in 
the west was interpreted as an omen of success to the scout. 
Thus you see that in Texas, instead of having to follow the 
circuit of the seasons for variety in climate, we can have May 
and December in one day in February. We were obliged to 
camp without water, a circumstance by no means uncommon 
with this expedition, for its operations have been very much 
circumscribed on account of the great scarcity of water. 

Next day we started early on the march, having a bright 
day and a better road than before. Proceeding thus over 
a diversified track, alternately rough and smooth, — now a 
ridge covered with scrubby pine, then a ravine skirted by 
muskit-wood, but all the time gradually rising upon a table- 
land that seemed better clad with vegetation than any of the 
preceding, — we were suddenly checked by finding ourselves 
on the crest of a stupendous precipice. Up to this time we 
had led our horses over rough places from choice; it now 
became a matter of necessity ; for the weight of a man on his 
horse would undoubtedly have precipitated both many hun- 
dred feet below. To look at the mountain from its base, any 



EXPEDITION AGAINST THE APACHE INDIANS. 13 

sane man would pronounce it impassable, for it seemed a ver- 
tical ledge of rock ; yet, strange to say, the Indian trail trav- 
ersed its side in a zigzag manner to the base. The descent 
was extremely slow, and those in the rear of the line had 
ample opportunity to survey the prospect before them. I was 
raised in the Blue Mountains of Virginia, but never have I 
beheld anything to compare with the grandeur of the scenery 
from that Comanche pass. The ridge on which we stood ex- 
tended in a straight line as far as the eye could reach north 
and south, sloping gradually toward the rear, but in front 
rising in huge columns of solid rock, or in vertical ledges, to 
a height of two thousand feet above the level plain at its base, 
which extended twenty-five miles across and sixty miles in a 
longitudinal direction. The other side of this broad valley 
was terminated by a similar range, rising to an equal height, 
but not so precipitous or continuous. To the north, the gray 
and rugged peaks of the Sierra Guadalupe limited the weary 
vision. In the centre of the valley, which was covered with 
grass and sand-banks, was,- in appearance, a beautiful lake 
covered with ice ; but it proved to be a dry salt lagune, per- 
fectly white with incrustations of nitre and salt. Long before 
the rear-guard had begun the descent, the advance had dwin- 
dled away over the plain to a mere speck in the distance. 
Before sundown, however, we were discussing our frugal fare 
on the verge of the salt lagune. In the immediate vicinity 
were several pools of salt water and one of strong sulphur. 
Next day the trail, instead of keeping the valley, passed up 
a narrow and steep gorge, nearly opposite the other pass, 
obstructed at every point by huge boulders, often six feet in 
diameter and almost spherical. It was evident that these 
difficult passes were selected on purpose to elude pursuit, for 
the road to-day was, if possible, more difficult than that of the 
day before. We soon began the ascent of another ridge, where 
the trail scarcely furnished footing for the animals. One mule, 
on which the surgeon had packed the entire dispensary of the 
command in two panniers, lost his footing and rolled over and 
over to the base of the cliff, all below taking care to give him 
a wide berth. Thanks, however, to the efficiency of the doctor's 
medicine, both mule and panniers escaped uninjured. Not far 



14 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

from the summit of this ridge we came upon the deserted In- 
dian village. Their dismantled lodges were in perfect preser- 
vation, and enough was left to show that they had not been 
gone more than ten days. The circumspect manner in which 
their camp was laid out would have done credit to more scien- 
tific heads. It was carefully guarded against surprise by a sys- 
tem of flankers and advanced posts which occupied the promi- 
nent knolls around it. The main camp was concealed from a 
superficial observer by a dense cluster of pines. Each lodge, 
formed for a family, was constructed by bending a series of 
twigs after the manner of the bows of an ordinary wagon, 
the sharpened ends being driven into the ground, and the 
system connected at the top by a ridge-piece. Over all was 
thrown brushwood and straw in quantities sufficient for shel- 
ter. We camped near this village, and started early the next 
day for the Guadalupe Mountains, still about thirty miles dis- 
tant, leading our horses the greater part of the way. There 
we met with a party of the 8th Infantry, commanded by 
Major James Longstreet, on a mission from El Paso similar to 
our own. He reported that some ten days before, his guide 
(a Mexican) had ridden some distance in advance of the 
party, and was found dead on the roadside. He was killed by 
a small party of Indians, who, being on foot, could not be 
pursued. From this point (Guadalupe Spring) Major Simon- 
son determined to push on to Delaware Creek, along the road 
from El Paso to Fort Chadbourne, having strong hope of 
finding a hostile party there. We were, however, again des- 
tined to be disappointed, for that clear and lovely stream 
seemed never to have been polluted by the red man's pres- 
ence. 

Our bivouac that night was lighted in a deep and narrow 
valley or arroyo, clothed in luxuriant grass. We had scarcely 
let our horses to grass when there came down the hollow a 
gust of wind which scattered our fire over the grass like a tor- 
nado, setting the whole prairie in a blaze in a few moments. 
It swept, apparently at one breath, over the entire camp, con- 
suming bridles, saddles, blankets, caps, overcoats, and every- 
thing else that met its devouring grasp. Many of the horses 



EXPEDITION AGAINST THE APACHE INDIANS. 15 

were badly singed, nor did the men escape much better, for 
many lost their caps and had their beards closely singed. 
None of those encamped in that arroyo escaped without some 
loss. The deplorable condition of many of the command 
caused us to steer a straight course for Camp Stuart. We de- 
scended into the same broad valley by a different and less 
obstructed canon from the other, in the bottom of which was 
the dry bed of a stream. At places this bed was a flat slate- 
like rock, on which were found some singular specimens of 
aboriginal drawing. It was done with a deep red substance 
not unlike Indian red. The characters were distinctly marked, 
and those which I examined particularly represented three 
warriors, one on horseback with his bow drawn, and two others 
on foot, similarly equipped. Their arrows being directed up 
the canon suggested the idea that at the time they were made, 
three warriors had gone in that direction, leaving this draw- 
ing to indicate that fact to others of their tribe. They are 
pretty good draughtsmen on the human figure, but make very 
grotesque representations of horses. Next day we arrived in 
camp, which really seemed like home to us, and our floorless, 
chairless, and comfortless tent§ looked luxurious after a week's 
shelter beneath the broad canopy of heaven. 

This camp was named in honor of Captain Stuart, of South 
Carolina, formerly in the Mounted Riflemen, and has hereto- 
fore been the rendezvous of the expedition ; the Major ex- 
pects, however, in a few days to move it to Guadalupe Spring, 
so as to operate from that point toward the Sacramento Moun- 
tains, where the Indians must be, if anywhere in this section 
of country. The party despatched below Presidio have not 
yet been heard from. They have not had time to return, as 
it is some distance below Fort Davis, which is about one hun- 
dred and ten miles below this place. If they succeed in jump- 
ing the Indians in that quarter, you will be apprised of the 
result by Yours truly, S. 

A fragment of a letter written to his brother, Dr. 
John Stuart, gives some particulars concerning his own 
part in the expedition which a proper modesty pre- 
vented him from making public in the above letter. 



16 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

These particulars are interesting since they show that 
in his first experiences in active service, Stuart exhib- 
ited that perseverance and quick ingenuity in over- 
coming difficulties which afterwards formed one of the 
most prominent of his characteristics as a general. 
Major Simonson had placed him in charge of the artil- 
lery, which followed the advance of the mounted men 
as fast as circumstances would permit. Stuart thus 
writes : — 

Next day the artillery got along so well that I. began to 
consider ray difficulties at an end ; when, as we topped a ridge, 
to my utter amazement there burst upon my view one of the 
grandest spectacles of which nature can boast. More than 
fifteen hundred feet below me lay a broad valley, hemmed in 
on both sides by abrupt precipices of naked rock. To look 
from below any one would pronounce that precipice impassa- 
ble to a man ; yet, strange to say, the Indian trail led in a zig- 
zag manner down its side. The descent was conducted in a 
very slow and cautious manner, each man leading his horse 
with greatest care lest both be precipitated on those below. 
... In the mean time Jack came walking up and saluted me 
with, " Well ! Leftenant, what you gwine to do with the 
cannon ? " 

I told him to remain on top until I went down and picked 
out a road. I will be candid enough to say, however, that 
when I left Jack my smallest hope was to find a place to take 
down the cannon ; but I did hope to find at the bottom an 
order from Major Simonson to abandon the piece. After a 
time I, in turn, reached the bottom, but found no order. I 
hitched my horse and started back up the mountain, deter- 
mined to show Jack, as well as the Major, what a little deter- 
mination could do. Reaching the top, I had the mules un- 
hitched and started Jack down with them. I told the Captain 
of the company of Rangers, which had been detailed to re- 
main in rear of the artillery in case I needed their services, 
that with the aid of his men I could transport the cannon 
down ; and that, as the Major had left no orders about it, I 
could not and would not forsake it. The captain acquiesced 



MAJOR SIMON SON'S TESTIMONIAL. 17 

in my views. I unlimbered the piece, and started him down 
in command of the limber and twenty-five men, having pre- 
viously pointed out the route. I took charge of the piece with 
twenty-five men ; and down we went, lowering it by lariat 
ropes, and lifting it over the rocks. We reached the bottom 
safely, and before night were sipping our coffee at the Major's 
bivouac. The Major told me that I deserved great credit for 
my success, and said that he never expected to see me bring 
the artillery down that mountain. 

In the spring of 1855 the 1st and 2d Cavalry regi- 
ments were organized by Jefferson Davis, who was 
at that time Secretary of War. Officers were selected 
with the greatest care, and these new regiments con- 
tained many who were destined to attain great distinc- 
tion in the Civil War. 1 Stuart was transferred to the 
1st regiment U. S. Cavalry with the rank of second 
lieutenant. On leaving the regiment of Mounted Rifle- 
men, Major Simonson presented to him the following 
testimonial : — 

Camp Burbank, Texas, May 8, 1855. 

Sir, — While relieving you from duty in order to allow you 
to avail yourself of the present opportunity of anticipating 
the arrival of orders for duty in your regiment, I have felt 
reluctant thus to close your connection with this expedition 
and with the regiment of Mounted Riflemen, without adding 
to the official announcement of this separation the expression 
of the feelings with which I regard it. 

During your service with Company G, your duties have, at 
times, been necessarily arduous, and it has afforded me pleas- 
ure to notice that under these circumstances you have not 
omitted to display that cheerfulness and zeal in their perform- 
ance which, if persevered in, will not fail to be appreciated by 
those with whom you may serve, and to secure you a favor- 
able reputation as an officer. 

A regret for the loss of your services in the regiment is 

1 General J. A. Early gives a complete list of these distinguished men 
in the Southern Historical Society Papers, vol. iii. p. 142 et seq. 
2 



18 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

therefore mingled with the pleasure with which I offer my con- 
gratulations on your promotion, and my best wishes for your 
future success and happiness. With these sentiments of es- 
teem and regard, 

I remain very truly your friend, 

John S. Simonson, Major R. M. R., 

Commanding Expedition. 
To Lieut. Jas. E. B. Stuart, 
1st Cavalry. 



CHAPTER III. 

LIFE ON THE FRONTIER. 

In August, 1855, the 1st Regiment U. S. Cavalry, 
which had been organized at Jefferson Barracks, St. 
Louis, was ordered to Fort Leavenworth, and Stuart was 
appointed by Colonel Sumner regimental quartermas- 
ter and commissary at that post. About the middle of 
September of this year his regiment was engaged in 
an expedition against the hostile Indians, in which no 
fighting occurred, but which occupied the regiment 
until the 4th of November, when it returned to Fort 
Leavenworth. During this expedition Stuart received 
the intelligence of the death of his father, and his let- 
ters show what sincere and unaffected sorrow this be- 
reavement caused him. Only a short time before, he 
had asked and received from his father his approval of 
his marriage to Miss Flora Cooke, daughter of Colo- 
nel Philip St. George Cooke, of the 2d Dragoons. Ar- 
rangements having already been made for this event, 
the marriage was solemnized on the 14th of November, 
at Fort Riley, of which post Colonel Cooke was com- 
mandant. 

On the 20th of December, 1855, Stuart was promoted 
to be first lieutenant in his regiment. During the 
following year the regiment was engaged in the at- 
tempt to preserve peace between the new settlers in 
Kansas Territory, in that exciting period when it 
was as yet undetermined whether Kansas would be a 



20 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

free or a slave State. It was at this time that he 
made the acquaintance with " Osawatomie Brown " 
which enabled him to identify Brown at Harper's Ferry 
in 1859. 

In the year 1857 the 1st Cavalry was actively en- 
gaged in Indian warfare. The important event of the 
campaign was the battle fought upon the North Fork 
of Solomon's River, probably within the limits of the 
present Norton County, Kansas. The story of Stuart's 
connection with this campaign is best given in his own 
words. 

The following letter was written at intervals on the 
two days succeeding the battle : — 

Camp on Solomon's Fork, 
July 30, 1857. 
My darling Wife, — Yesterday, after seventeen days' 
steady march from Camp Buchanan, we overtook about three 
hundred Cheyenne warriors drawn up in line of battle, and 
marching boldly and steadily toward us. We fronted into 
line as soon as possible (the six companies of cavalry), the in- 
fantry being too far behind to take any part in the action, also 
Bayard's battery, which the colonel stopped three or four 
miles back, as unable to keep up. It was my intention, and I 
believe that of most of the company commanders, to give a 
carbine volley and then charge with drawn pistols, and use the 
sabre as a dernier ressort ; but much to my surprise, the colo- 
nel ordered, " Draw sabres ! charge ! " when the Indians were 
within gunshot. We set up a terrific yell, which scattered the 
Cheyennes in disorderly flight, and we kept up the charge in 
pursuit. I led off company G right after their main body ; but 
very few of the company horses were fleet enough, after the 
march, beside my own brave Dan, to keep in reach of the In- 
dians mounted on fresh ponies. My part of the chase led toward 
the right and front, and in that direction companies G, H, and 
D were, in a short time, mixed together in the pursuit, so that 
Stanley, Mclntyre, Mcintosh, Lomax, and myself were, for 
the greater part of the time, near each other, and frequently 
side by side. As long as Dan held out I was foremost ; but 



THE BATTLE OF SOLOMON'S RIVER. 21 

after a chase of five miles he failed, and I had to mount the 
horse of a private. When I overtook the rear of the enemy I 
found Lomax in imminent danger from an Indian, who was 
on foot and in the act of shooting him. I rushed to the res- 
cue, and succeeded in wounding the Indian in his thigh. He 
fired at me in return with an Allen's revolver, but missed. 
About this time I observed Stanley and Mclntyre close by. 
The former said : " Wait ! I '11 fetch him." He dismounted 
to aim deliberately, but in dismounting accidentally discharged 
his last load. Upon him the Indian now advanced with his 
revolver pointed. I could not stand that ; but, drawing my 
sabre, rushed upon the monster and inflicted a severe wound 
on his head. At the same moment he fired his last barrel 
within a foot of me, the ball taking effect in the centre of the 
breast, but, by the mercy of God, glancing to the left, lodging 
near my left nipple, but so far inside that it cannot be felt. I 
rejoice to inform you that the wound is not regarded as dan- 
gerous, though I may be confined to my bed for weeks. I am 
now enjoying excellent health in every other respect. 

I was able to dismount and lie down, before which the In- 
dian, having discharged his last load, was dispatched by Mcln- 
tyre and a man of company D. Lomax, who came to my 
relief, had some sabres stuck in the ground, and a blanket 
put up for shade. Dr. Brewer was sent for, but as it was 
eight miles to the place where the fight began, there was great 
delay. In the mean time the rally was sounded, and numbers 
collected around me, doing everything in their power for my 
comfort. Soon the colonel appeared, moving up at the head 
of the column from the rear. He greeted me in the most af- 
fectionate terms, and had me taken on a blanket back towards 
the first scene of action, where he intended to camp, as his 
horses were too much used up to continue the pursuit. 

I was carried in the blanket about three miles, when I met 
the doctor, who examined the wound, bandaged it, etc. Soon 
after, I met the sick wagon, which consisted of the two hind 
wheels of the ambulance, with a tongue attached, the cushions 
being fastened on the spring. The rest of the ambulance had 
broken down weeks ago, and had been left behind. Three 
mules hitched to this bore me off, as it were, in a car of tri- 
umph. I suffered much from this mode of transportation, but 



22 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

now (July 31st) feel pretty well, though I am entirely help- 
less as regards locomotion. 

The colonel, after resting one day to bury Privates Cade, 
of company G, and Lynch, of company A, and to recuperate 
the horses, starts this morning on the chase. 

Captain Foote's company, Dr. Covey, and Lieutenant Mc- 
Cleary are left here, with myself and the other wounded and 
sick. I have every reason to believe that I will be able to re- 
sume duty in about ten days or two weeks. I have received 
every attention from my fellow officers, for which I shall ever 
be grateful. I send this by Colburn, in case an express is sent 
in by Colonel Sumner before his return here. We will, in a 
day or two, be reduced to fresh beef alone. The regiment 
will return to Leavenworth, I think, certainly before the 1st of 
November. See Mrs. Mclntyre, and tell her all left in fine 
spirits. 

Fort Floyd, Cheyenne Expedition, 
August 1, 185 7. 

After the command left yesterday I was taken on a litter to 
a little field fortification built under the direction of Lieutenant 
McCleary, quite respectable for the means at hand. A tent- 
fly was stretched a few paces outside, and there Dr. Covey and 
myself and Ben established our ranch. We have a pretty view 
up the creek for about two miles, my bed being sufficiently in- 
clined to enable me to see. It is very hot to-day. I can sit up 
a little with props, and seize a moment now and then to jot a 
daily token to my wife. The day drags heavily. My Prayer- 
Book — which I must say has not been neglected — and my 
Army Regulations are my only books. A few sheets of " Har- 
per's Weekly " are treasures indeed. The doctor requires me 
to keep very quiet. My wound does not pain me when lying 
still. Dr. Covey is as kind as a brother could be. He tells 
me my wound is doing finely. The wounded in the hospital, 
he says, are doing remarkably well, and he has strong hope 
that all will recover. 

August 5th. The Cheyennes who attacked us last night were 
about twenty or thirty. Before daylight this morning another 
alarm. Every gun was in hand, when we could hear in the 
distance " Pawnee ! Pawnee !" and presently five men were 



STUARTS DIARY. 23 

seen running directly toward us on foot. We immediately sur- 
mised that they were Colonel Sumner's Pawnee guides, which 
proved to be true. They made signs that Colonel Sumner 
had sent them with letters to Fort Kearny, and while on their 
way, an hour or two ago, the Cheyennes had attacked them 
and taken their ponies, and they, after killing one Cheyenne, 
barely made their escape. They said they had another letter 
for Captain Foote, but that the Cheyennes had torn it up. 
They said that the colonel's orders were for Captain Foote to 
go directly to Fort Kearny. Among the letters they had for 
Fort Kearny was the one I had written July 31st, and given to 
Colburn. I opened it and took possession. I have not eaten 
any meat since wounded until to-day. I am able to walk 
about a little. 

August Qth. I am still rapidly improving. Captain Foote 
held a council of war, and determined to start for Kearny on 
Saturday, the 8th, the doctor deciding that the wounded 
would be able to be carried then. 

Fort Kearny, N. T., August 19, 1857. 

My dearest Wife, — I arrived here night before last, 
having left Captain Foote, who has not yet arrived, three days 
before. Before beginning my letter I will extend the narra- 
tive of our march from Fort Floyd. 

August 8th. Packed up and left this forsaken region, I rid- 
ing on horseback, which does not appear to fatigue me. We. 
are almost reduced to fresh beef alone for food. The com- 
mand is, and has been, since August the 2d. The three 
wounded men, who are unable to ride, are conveyed in an 
affair on the Indian style, which is nothing more than two 
poles lashed to a mule, like the shafts of a wagon, the other 
ends dragging ; having lashed across them a sort of basket- 
work of strips of rawhide, in which the wounded man re- 
clines in comparative comfort ; men walking in rear to lift the 
ends over rough places. We travel very slow. Camp ten miles 
out, at a little mud hole. The Pawnee guides say that we will 
reach Kearny four days after to-day. We hardly expect it. 

August 9th. Went fourteen miles and encamped on a creek ; 
our course northeast, as well as we can tell by the stars, ifo 
compass in the command. 



24 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

August l±th. A heavy fog envelopes us this morning, and 
to our utter amazement and consternation we find on starting 
that the Pawnees are gone. The rascals, our sole dependence 
for guidance, have deserted us in this thick fog, when most 
needed. The wounded, particularly First Sergeant McKeown, 
are in great jeopardy. Yes ! we are lost ! lost in a fog ! no 
compass, no guide ! The sun is obscured for the day. We 
let the Cheyenne (a prisoner) guide us. He seems to under- 
stand what we want, and signifies that he can go to Kearny. 
We marched twent}' miles, but no Kearny, which we were to 
meet to-day, according to the Pawnees. We camp by a little 
dry-bed stream ; very little water in a hole. At night the 
stars, blessed stars, appear, and reveal to us the north, which 
we mark for to-morrow, by objects placed. To save unneces- 
sary marching to the command, which is worn out by the hard 
march and scanty rations, many of the men being barefooted, 
I volunteer to start to-morrow with a small party to look for 
Fort Kearny ; and as McCleary wishes to go, I ask for him 
and one or two men ; among whom the captain sends a cow- 
ardly Mexican guide of Laramie. He was all the time creat- 
ing discontent by contending that Fort Kearny was south of 
us, and secretly created discouragement among the men. 

August \bth. The morning came, but was completely envel- 
oped in fog. We waited until noon, and resolved to go any- 
how. The suffering wounded were too strong an appeal for 
me to resist. We started out to go east, which Captain Foote 
insisted must be the course ; whereas I wished to go northeast. 
As it was cloudy, the only way by which we could approximate 
the course was by keeping two of the party successively sta- 
tioned on the line, the remainder trotting on the prolongation 
as fast as the process would allow. We got along pretty well 
until five P. M., when another storm came up. I established 
points to show our course, and waited quietly under some trees 
'for the storm to abate. After the rain we pushed on for about 
half an hour, when it became so dark that I again planted 
stakes to mark the route, and camped for the night. We had 
hardly finished picketing our horses along the edge of a grassy 
ravine, when the storm of wind and rain, of thunder and 
lightning, was renewed with great violence. There we sat, 



STUART'S DIARY. 25 

every man squatted on his saddle, revealed in gloomy out- 
lines only by the lightning's flash, a picture I can never for- 
get. The night of the 13th was nothing in comparison. We 
were all sleepy, and were dozing through the night in this 
way, when a flash of lightning revealed, instead of the pretty 
grass plat, a large mass of water before us half way up the 
bodies of our horses, and rising rapidly. We ran to extricate 
them, and had barely time to make good our retreat with 
horses and saddles to higher ground. 

August 16th. At the first dawn of day we saddled up. 
McCleary proposed that we should go to timber and make a 
big fire to warm ourselves. I told him that under such cir- 
cumstances we ought to endure anything rather than delay, 
when our speedy arrival at Kearny was of such vital im- 
portance to the command. To this he readily agreed. We 
started on the same course : the day was cloudy, but for a few 
moments at seven o'clock the sun dashed into view, as if by 
a merciful dispensation of Providence, showing that we were 
going south-southeast instead of east. I established an east 
and west line while the sun was visible, and then started 
northeast. I shall always suspect that the Mexican, who alter- 
nated with me in taking the point of direction, deflected the 
line toward the right according to his absurd notion of the 
whereabouts of Kearny. At four P. M. our course was stopped 
by an impassable stream, flooded, very deep, and with precipi- 
tous banks. We were obliged to abandon our course and pro- 
ceed up this stream until it could be headed. Our direction was 
now southeast, as well as we could guess. Soon we struck a 
plain wagon trail, a miracle to us. It led south-southeast, but 
we hoped it would take us somewhere. I surmised that it 
was Lieutenant Bryan's road from the Republican to Fort 
Keai'ny, and we followed it eagerly at a trot for three hours, 
during which it appeared that we had been going in a circle ; 
for a tree on our left was visible constantly, and apparently at 
the same distance. Dark overtook us and we encamped. Ben 
had two small slices of beef for each of us. I devoured one| 
I set a man on watch for the stars in case they should appear,' 
in order that I might take a reckoning. I was almost in 
despair. I began to fear that this road was merely the trail 
of some hunting party, or of traders who had nothing to do 



26 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

with Fort Kearny ; and when I thought of Captain Foote's 
command and the wounded sufferers, I never before felt so 
much anxiety and responsibility. From the first I prayed 
God to be my guide, and I felt an abiding hope that all would 
be well w r ith us. During the night the cavalry corporal waked 
me to see the stars. I rejoiced to find that our course now 
was due north, which I knew was safe. 

August 11th. At dawn we saddled up, somewhat encour- 
aged by the prospects. We followed the trail two .or three 
miles, when we found that the road led directly across a very 
considerable stream, now entirely out of its banks and very 
swift. I felt that we must cross that stream. I had not the 
most remote idea where we were, but I saw that to go around 
it, or to wait until it fell, would take a week. McCleary 
demurred ; and the cowardly Mexican, who was mounted on 
a beautiful Indian pony, that could, I knew, swim anywhere, 
said, " Too deep ! Me no swim." I was determined to cross it, 
if I crossed alone ; and giving the cavalry corporal permission 
to swim the Mexican's pony, we started. Our animals struck 
out for the other bank, but the current bore them down 
considerably ; and Dan, getting his feet entangled, fell over 
backwards, and unhorsed me. I swam to the opposite bank, 
although encumbered by my clothing. Dan came over too. 
The mules crossed with more or less difficult} 7 , and then 
McCleary and the infantrymen swam the stream. All were 
now over except the Mexican, who protested that he could 
not get across : " Me no swim." I could not be deaf to the 
voice of humanity, and planned an arrangement to help him, 
when to our amazement the rascal swam over better than 
any one had done. 

Meantime the cavalry sergeant had gone up the bank a 
short distance, and reported a plain wagon road and a fresh 
trail. I then knew that this stream was the Big Blue, and at 
least fifty miles below Kearny, on the Leavenworth road. It 
was now seven o'clock A. m., and cold and wet as we were, 
there was no time to be lost. I thanked God for the merciful 
deliverance, and we started for Kearny, travelling five miles 
an hour. About noon we met the Kearny mail for the States. 
We got some news and a piece of hard bread, the most deli- 
cious morsel I ever tasted. We arrived here in good time 



STUARTS DIARY. 27 

that afternoon, having travelled fifty-five measured miles since 
morning. We found the officers here, Marshall and Bryant 
and Summers, much alarmed about us. The Pawnees had 
come in three days before and reported us close at hand. Par- 
ties had been sent out as far as twenty-five miles in all direc- 
tions to look for us, but without success. Our plans were 
soon formed. We sent Jeffreys, the interpreter, and the best 
of our Pawnees, with an ambulance and two wagons loaded 
with hard- bread and luxuries for the sick and the well, and 
a sufficient escort ; with instructions to go to the point where 
we had been deserted by the Pawnees, and thence to follow 
Captain Foote's trail until he was found. 

The relief party sent out after Captain Foote found 
him without delay, and within four days the sick and 
wounded were brought safely to Fort Kearny. 



CHAPTER IV. 

THE JOHN BKOWN RAID. 

From the fall of 1857 until the summer of 1860 
Stuart was stationed at Fort Riley with six companies 
of the 1st Cavalry, under the command of Major John 
Sedgwick. 

In the winter of 1858-59 he invented a sabre attach- 
ment, for which he obtained a patent from the govern- 
ment. Having received a six months' leave of absence, 
he passed the summer of 1859 among his relatives in 
Virginia, and while attending the General Convention 
of the Episcopal Church, in Richmond, in October, was 
called to Washington to negotiate with the War De- 
partment concerning the sale of his sabre attachment. 
While in Washington on this business the news was 
received of the " John Brown Raid " at Harper's Ferry. 
Stuart was requested to convey to Arlington a secret 
communication to Lieutenant-Colonel Robert E. Lee, 
who had been selected to command the marines sent to 
suppress the insurrection. Although the facts had been 
carefully concealed, Stuart perceived that something 
unusual was transpiring, and volunteered his services as 
aid to Colonel Lee. 

The following extracts are taken from a letter which 
he wrote to his mother from Fort Riley, in January, 
1860. Several contemporary newspaper accounts gave 
to him the credit of having led the attack upon the 
engine house in which John Brown had taken refuge, 
an honor which Stuart is careful to disclaim. 






THE JOHN BROWN RAID. 29 

Colonel Lee was sent to command the forces at Harper's 
Ferry. I volunteered as bis aid. I had no command what- 
ever. The United States marines are a branch of the naval 
force, — there was not an enlisted man of the army on hand. 
Lieutenant Green was sent in command. Major Russell had 
been requested by the Secretary of the Navy to accompany 
the marines, but, being a paymaster, could exercise no com- 
mand ; yet it was his corps. For Colonel Lee to have put me 
in command of the storming party would have been an outrage 
to Lieutenant Green, which would have rung through the navy 
for twenty years. As well might they send him out here to 
command my company of cavalry. . . . 

I, too, had a part to perform, which prevented me in a meas- 
ure from participating in the very brief onset made so gal- 
lantly by Green and Russell, well backed by their men. I 
was deputed by Colonel Lee to read to the leader, then called 
Smith, a demand to surrender immediately ; and I was in- 
structed to leave the door after his refusal, which was expected, 
and wave my cap ; at which signal the storming party was to 
advance, batter open the doors, and capture the insurgents at 
the point of the bayonet. Colonel Lee cautioned the stormers 
particularly to discriminate between the insurgents and their 
prisoners. 

I approached the door in the presence of perhaps two 
thousand spectatoi-s, and told Mr. Smith that I had a communi- 
cation for him from Colonel Lee. He opened the door about 
four inches, and placed his body against the crack, with a 
cocked carbine in his hand : hence his remark after his cap- 
ture that he could have wiped me out like a mosquito. The 
parley was a long one. He presented his propositions in every 
possible shape, and with admirable tact ; but all amounted to 
this : that the only condition upon which he would surrender 
was that he and his party should be allowed to escape. Some 
of his prisoners begged me to ask Colonel Lee to come and 
see him. I told them he would never accede to any terms 
but those he had offered ; and as soon as I could tear myself 
away from their importunities I left the door and waved my 
cap, and Colonel Lee's plan was carried out. . . . 

When Smith first came to the door I recognized old Osa- 



30 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

watomie Brown, who bad given us so much trouble in Kansas. 
No one present but myself could have performed that service. 
I got his bowie-knife from his person, and have it yet. 

The same day, about eleven, or twelve o'clock, Colonel Lee 
requested me, as Lieutenant Green had charge of the prison- 
ers and was officer of the guard, to take a few marines and go 
over to old Brown's house, four and a half miles distant, in 
Maryland, and see what was there. I did so, and discovered 
the magazine of pikes, blankets, clothing, and utensils of every 
sort. I could only carry off the pikes, as I had but one wagon.. 
The next clay I was occupied in delivering the various orders 
of Colonel Lee, and in other duties devolving on an aid-de- 
camp. The night after, Colonel Lee, Green, and myself, with 
thirty marines, marched six miles and back on a false alarm 
among the inhabitants of a district called Pleasant Valley. 

The prisoners having been turned over to the United States 
Marshal, Colonel Lee and the marines were ordered back to 
Washington. I went with him, and this terminated my con- 
nection with the Harper's Ferry affair. 



CHAPTER V. 

FIRST MANASSAS ; DRANESVILLE. 

In the summer of 1860 the 1st regiment U. S. Cav- 
alry was ordered from Fort Riley to make a demonstra- 
tion against the Comanche and other hostile Indians, 
and when on the head-waters of the Arkansas, received 
instructions to remain in that section and select a site 
for a new fort. This was done about midsummer, and 
the fort now known as Fort Lyon was begun. Here 
the regiment wintered. 

In March, 1861, Lieutenant Stuart "obtained a two 
months' leave of absence. Having resolved to direct 
his own course by the action of his native State in 
regard to secession, he wished to place himself in such 
position that he could either return to Virginia or re- 
move his family to Fort Lyon when the decision of 
Virginia was made known. He now repaired to St. 
Louis, where he passed three weeks in uncertainty. 
Returning to Fort Riley, he there learned that Vir- 
ginia had passed the ordinance of secession. His leave 
of absence had not yet expired, and he at once re- 
moved his family to St. Louis, and took passage on 
a river steamboat for Memphis. Much excitement 
existed in St. Louis, but keeping his own counsel, he 
was enabled to avoid all difficulty. When the boat 
landed at Cairo, Stuart forwarded to the War Depart- 
ment his resignation as an officer in the United States 
Army. Almost immediately thereafter he received the 



32 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

notification of his promotion to captaincy in his regi- 
ment. On the 7th of May he reached Wytheville, Va., 
and on the same day his resignation was accepted by 
the War Department. He now proceeded at once to 
Richmond, Va., and offered his sword in the defence of 
his native State. 

His first commission in the Southern army was that 
of lieutenant-colonel of infantry, dated May 10, 1861, 
with orders to report to Colonel T. J. Jackson, at 
Harper's Ferry. This commission was issued by the 
State of Virginia. On July 16, 1861, he received from 
the same source his commission as colonel of cavalry. 
On the 24th of September of the same year he was 
made brigadier-general by the Confederate States' gov- 
ernment, and on July 25, 1862, he was commissioned 
major-general by the same authority. 

The cavalry under Stuart's command in June, 1861, 
numbered only twenty-one officers and three hundred 
and thirteen men present for duty, 1 and yet such was 
his activity that a front of more than fifty miles was 
efficiently watched, and every important movement of 
the enemy was duly reported. It was in reference to 
these services that General Joseph E. Johnston, when 
subsequently transferred to the West, wrote privately 
to Stuart : " How can I eat, sleep, or rest in peace with- 
out you upon the outpost ? " 

On July 1, 1861, Major-General R. Patterson crossed 
the Potomac at Williamsport and advanced into Virgi- 
nia, with the intention of operating against the army 
of General Joseph E. Johnston, at Winchester, and 
of preventing him from sending reinforcements to 
Manassas, upon which point McDowell was about to 
advance. The early discovery of this movement by 
Stuart enabled General Johnston to send Colonel T. J. 

1 Official Records, vol. ii. p. 187. 



THE AFFAIR AT FALLING WATERS. 33 

Jackson's brigade to the assistance of the cavalry north 
of Martinsburg. Jackson was ordered to resist the ad- 
vance of any small body, but to retire under cover of 
the cavalry if the enemy appeared in force. The result 
of this movement was " the affair at Falling Waters," 
in Avhich Jackson, with one regiment of his brigade, 
numbering three hundred and eighty men, and one 
piece of artillery, detained the advance of Patterson's 
column, and compelled him to deploy an entire division 
for the attack. Jackson then retired beyond Martins- 
burg, having lost eleven men wounded and nine 
missinsr. 1 

While operating on the flank of Jackson's infantry, 
Stuart encountered a danger which might have been 
fatal to him, but which his quick courage converted 
into the discomfiture of others. Emerging suddenly 
from a thick piece of woods while riding alone in 
advance of his men, he found himself in the presence 
of a considerable body of Federal, infantry, and sepa- 
rated .from them only by a fence. Riding toward them 
without hesitation, he directed some of the men, who 
probably mistook him for one of their own officers, to 
throw down the fence. This was quickly done ; when 
Stuart ordered the whole party to lay down their arms 
on the peril of their lives. Bewildered by the boldness 
of the transaction the men obeyed, and filing them off 
through the gap in the fence, Stuart soon had them 
surrounded by his troopers. His prize proved to be 
forty-nine men of the 15th Pennsylvania volunteers, 
almost an entire company organization. 

Immediately upon the withdrawal of Colonel Jack- 
son, General Johnston moved his army forward to 
Darksville, and for four days offered battle to Patter- 
son. The challenge was declined, and Johnston retired 

1 Official Records, vol. ii. pp. 185, 186. 
3 



34 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

to Winchester that he might be in position to rein- 
force Manassas. On the 15th of July General Patter- 
son advanced to Bunker's Hill, nine miles from Win- 
chester, and on the 17th moved to Smithfield, as if to 
attack General Johnston from the south. This move- 
ment failed to deceive General Johnston, who on the 
18th commenced his march from Winchester to Pied- 
mont Station. So skilfully was this movement screened 
by the dispositions which Stuart made of his cavalry, 
that General Patterson does not appear to have been 
aware of it until the 21st of July, 1 on which day John- 
ston's forces were actively engaged at Bull Run. 

Johnston's infantry was transported by railroad from 
Piedmont to Manassas ; but Stuart's little band of horse- 
men made the march across the country in due time, and 
actively participated in the battle. General Johnston 
thus describes the supreme moment of the battle : 2 — 

We had now sixteen guns and two hundred and sixty cav- 
alry and a little above nine regiments of the Army of the 
Shenandoah, and six guns and less than the strength of three 
regiments of that of the Army of the Potomac, engaged with 
about thirty-five thousand United States troops, among whom 
were full three thousand of the old regular army. Yet this 
admirable artillery and brave infantry and cavalry lost no foot 
of ground. For nearly three hours they maintained their posi- 
tion, repelling five successive assaults by the heavy masses of 
the enemy, whose numbers enabled him continually to bring 
up fresh troops as their preceding columns were driven back. 
Colonel Stuart contributed to one of these repulses by a well 
timed and vigorous charge on the enemy's right flank with 
two companies of his cavalry. 

General T. J. Jackson says : 3 — 

Apprehensive lest my flanks should be turned, I sent orders 

1 Official Records, vol. ii. p. 172. 

2 Official Records, vol. ii. pp. 475,476. 

3 Official Records, vol. ii. p. 481. 



GENERAL EARLY'S NARRATIVE. 35 

to Colonels Stuart and Radford, of the cavalry, to secure them. 
Colonel Stuart, and that part of his command with him, de- 
serve great praise for the promptness with which they moved 
to my left and secured the flank by timely charging the enemy 
and driving him back. 

The Official Records give a very inadequate idea of 
the real service which Stuart performed' on this memo- 
rable day. I am, however, permitted to make the fol- 
lowing extract from an unpublished manuscript narra- 
tive, written by General J. A. Early in the years 1867- 
68, which shows that at the very crisis of the day 
Stuart held the turning-point of the field, and that 
with the insignificant force under his command he con- 
tributed in no small degree to the final victory. 

General Early thus writes : — 

Toward three P. M. we neared the field of battle, and began 
to perceive the scenes usual in the rear of an army engaged in 
action. On entering the road leading from the Lewis House 
towards Manassas, we met quite a stream of stragglers and 
skulkers going to the rear, and were informed by them that 
everything was over with us. Some of the men said that 
their regiments had been entirely cut to pieces, and that there 
was no use for them to remain any longer. It was to the en- 
couraging remarks of this stream of recreants that my com- 
mand was exposed as it moved on, but not a man fell out 
of ranks. I moved on, soon meeting General Johnston him- 
self, who rode toward us when he discovered our approach, 
and expressed his gratification at our arrival. I asked him at 
once to show me my position, to which he replied that he was 
too much engaged at present to do that in person, but would 
give me directions as to what I was to do. He then directed 
me to move to our extreme left and attack the enemy on their 
right; stating that by directing my march along the rear of 
our line, by the sound of the firing in front, there could be no 
mistake ; and he cautioned me to take especial care to clear 
our whole line before advancing to the front, and to be partic- 
ular and not fire on any of our own men, which he was sorry 
to say had been done in some instances. 



36 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

Affairs now wore a gloomy aspect, and from all the indica- 
tions in the rear, the day appeared to be going against ns. . . . 
Immediately in front of ns was a body of woods extending 
towards our left, in which there was the constant rattle of 
musketry, and I moved along the rear, crossing the road from 
Manassas to Sudley, and inclining to the left so as to clear 
our line entirely. ... As I approached the open space 
beyond, a messenger came galloping to me from Colonel, 
afterwards General, J. E. B. Stuart, who was on our extreme 
left with two companies of cavalry and a battery of artillery 
under Lieutenant Beckham, stating that the colonel said that 
the enemy was about giving way, and if we would hurry up 
they would soon be in retreat. This was the first word of en- 
couragement I had received after reaching the vicinity of the 
battle-field. I was then making all the haste the condition of 
my men, who were much blown, would permit ; and I directed 
my march to a field immediately on the left of the woods, and 
between Stuart's position and the left of our infantry then 
engaged. The messenger from Stuart soon returned at a gal- 
lop, and stated that the colonel said the enemy had only re- 
tired his right behind a ridge now in my front, and was mov- 
ing another flanking column behind said ridge still farther to 
our right ; and he cautioned me to look out for this new col- 
umn. The fact was that Stuart, who had been for some time 
in position beyond our extreme left watching the enemy's 
movements, had, by the judicious use of Beckham's guns on 
his right flank, kept the enemy in check, and prevented him 
from flanking Elzey, then on the extreme left of our infantry. 
It was mainly by the fire poured from Beckham's guns into 
the enemy, who had moved a column in front of the lower 
end of the ridge mentioned, in order to flank Elzey, that that 
column had been forced to retire, just as I was approaching, 
behind the ridge, producing on Stuart the impression that the 
enemy was about to retreat. 

Having cleared the woods entirely, I moved to the front in 
order to form line against the flanking column of the enemy 
which was reported forming behind the ridge in front of me. 
Just at this time I observed a body of our troops move from a 
piece of woods on my immediate right across an open space to 
another in front of it, and this proved to be the left regiment 






GENERAL EARLY'S NARRATIVE. 37 

of Elzey's brigade. I heard a rapid fire open from the woods 
into which this regiment had moved, and a body of the enemy 
appeared on the crest of the ridge immediately in my front, 
preceded by a line of skirmishers. This ridge is the one on 
which was situated the Chinn House, so often mentioned in the 
descriptions of this battle and the subsequent one near the 
same position. It is a high ridge, sloping off to our right 
and terminating in front of the position occupied by Elzey. 
The enemy had the decided advantage, as my troops had to 
form in the low ground on our side of the ridge near a small 
stream which runs along its base. The formation of my 
troops was in full view of the enemy ; and his skirmishers, 
who were about four hundred yards in front of us, opened 
on my men, while forming, with long-range rifles or Minie 
muskets. . . . 

As we advanced the enemy disappeared behind the crest, 
and while we were ascending the slope, Lieutenant McDonald, 
acting aid to General Elzey, came riding rapidly towards me 
and requested me not to let my men fire on the troops in my 
front, stating that they consisted of the 13th Virginia regi- 
ment of Elzey's brigade. I said to him : " They have been 
firing on my men : " to which he replied, " I know they have, 
but it is a mistake ; I recognized Colonel Hill of the 13th and 
his horse." This was a mistake on the part of Lieutenant 
McDonald, arising from a fancied resemblance of a mounted 
officer with the enemy to the colonel of the 13th. This regi- 
ment did not, in fact, reach the battle-field at all. This in- 
formation and the positive assurance of Lieutenant McDonald 
caused me to halt my troops and ride to the crest of the hill, 
when I observed a regiment about two hundred yards to my 
right, drawn up in line in front of the woods where Elzey's 
left was. The dress of the volunteers on both sides at that 
time was very similar, and the flag of the regiment was droop- 
ing around the flag-staff so that I could not see whether it 
was the flag of the United States or the Confederate flag. 
The very confident manner of Lieutenant McDonald induced 
me to believe that this must also be one of our regiments. 
Colonel Stuart had advanced on my left with his two com- 
panies of cavalry and Beckham's artillery, and passing around 
Chinn's house had caused the battery to open fire upon 



38 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

the regiment I was observing. Thinking it must certainly 
be one of our regiments, I started a messenger to Colonel 
Stuart to give him the information and request him to stop 
the fire ; but a second shell or ball from Beckham's guns, 
which passed not over twenty feet in front of me, caused the 
regiment to face about and retire rapidly, when I saw the 
United States flag unfurl, and discovered the mistake into 
which I had been led by Lieutenant McDonald. I imme- 
diately ordered my command forward, and Kemper's and 
Hays' regiments advanced to the crest of the ridge. All this 
occurred in less time than it has taken to describe it. On 
reaching the crest we came in view of the Warren ton turn- 
pike and the plains beyond, and discovered the enemy in full 
retreat across and beyond the turnpike. . . . 

We were now on the extreme left of the whole of our infan- 
try force and in advance of the main line. The only troops on 
our left of any description were the two companies of cavalry 
and Beckham's battery with Stuart. On my immediate right 
and a little to the rear was Elzey's brigade, and away farther to 
the right I saw our line extending towards Bull Run, but I dis- 
covered no indications of a forward movement. My troops were 
now very much exhausted, especially Hays' regiment, which 
had been marching nearly all the morning before our move- 
ment toward the battle-field ; and it was necessary to give the 
men a little time to breathe. Beckham's guns had continued 
firing on the retreating enemy until the latter was beyond 
their range, and Colonel Stuart went in pursuit with his cav- 
alry, followed by Beckham's battery. 

As soon as my men had rested for a brief period, I directed 
my brigade to advance in column of divisions along the route 
over which we had seen the enemy retreating, and I sent in- 
formation to the troops on my right of my purpose to move 
along their front, with the request not to fire on us. I then 
moved forward, crossing Young's Branch and the Warrenton 
turnpike to the north side. When we got into the valley of* 
Young's Branch we lost sight of the enemy, and on ascending 
to the plains north of the turnpike we could see nothing of his 
retreating forces. Passing to the west and north of the houses 
known as the Dogan House, the Stone Tavern, the Matthew 
House, and the Carter House or Pittsylvania House, and being 



GENERAL EARLY'S NARRATIVE. 39 

guided by the abandoned haversacks and muskets, we moved 
over the ground on which the battle had begun with Evans' 
command in the early morning, and continued our march until 
we had cleared our right entirely. We had now got to a point 
where Bull Run makes a considerable bend above the Stone 
Bridge, and I halted, as we had not observed any movement 
from the main line. Nothing could be seen of the enemy, and 
their troops had scattered so much in the retreat that it was 
impossible to tell what route they had taken. Moreover, the 
country was entirely new and unknown to me. I therefore 
desisted from any farther effort at pursuit. Stuart with his 
cavalry and Beckham's guns had crossed the run above me, 
and Cocke's regiment had also moved towards a ford above 
where I halted. 

It was this movement of mine from our extreme left along 
the front of our line that produced the erroneous impression, 
under which some newspaper correspondents wrote from the 
battle-field, that General Kirby Smith had gotten off the train 
at Gainesville, and moved directly to where the battle was 
raging ; as my command when first seen from our right was 
moving from the direction of Gainesville. 

Generals Johnston and Beauregard have both attributed the 
turning of the tide of battle to the movement of my brigade 
against the enemy's right, — the former in his " Narrative," 
and the latter in a letter on the origin of the Confederate 
battle-flag. General Johnston in his " Narrative " says that 
on my way to attack the enemy's right I was " reinforced by 
five companies of cavalry commanded by Colonel Stuart and a 
battery under Lieutenant Beckham." Stuart had only two 
companies of cavalry with him, and he was in position on 
the extreme left when I arrived, and had been there for some 
time, rendering very efficient and valuable service by keeping 
the enemy's right in check, and thwarting the efforts to flank 
our left until my timely arrival. But for his presence there, I 
am of opinion that my brigade would have arrived too late to 
be of any service, as by falling upon the left and rear of 
Elzey's brigade, the enemy would probably have ended the 
battle before my brigade reached that point. 

Stuart did as much toivards saving the battle of First Ma- 
nassas as any subordinate who participated in it ; and yet he 



40 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

has never received any credit for it, in the official reports or 
otherwise. His oivn report is very brief and indefinite. 

The force at Stuart's command was utterly inade- 
quate to the pursuit of McDowell's routed army ; but 
Stuart followed the fugitives for a distance of twelve 
miles, and until his command had been reduced to a 
mere handful by the sending of prisoners to the rear. 

While Stuart was thus engaged on the extreme left, 
the 30th Virginia regiment, Cavalry, under Colonel R. 
C. W. Radford, rendered effective service on the right 
liank of Jackson's command. At the turning-point of 
the battle Colonel Radford charged one of the enemy's 
batteries, killed the horses attached to two pieces, and 
captured Colonel Corcoran, of the 69th New York regi- 
ment, with his colors and a number of prisoners. Colo- 
nel Radford made a second charge against a force of 
infantry and artillery, in which it seems that his cav- 
alry was repulsed, but he continued to follow the re- 
treating enemy. Lieutenant-Colonel T. T. Munford, 
with four companies of the 30th Virginia, aided in 
these movements on Colonel Radford's right. Both 
Colonel Radford and Colonel Munford claim that the 
attacks made by them caused the stampede and block- 
ade of the enemy's vehicles near Cub Run bridge, 
which resulted in the capture of fourteen pieces of 
artillery, with wagons and ambulances. 

The battle of Bull Run was succeeded by many 
months of inactivity to the main armies, during which 
the cavalry was engaged in not infrequent skirmishes 
and reconnoissances, the result of which was to cement 
the mutual confidence between Stuart and his men. 
Outpost duty with Stuart did not consist in the mere 
routine of establishing pickets and posting viclettes ; it 
was the school of instruction for his inexperienced but 
willing soldiers, and he himself was their ready and 



RECONNOISSANCE TO LEWINSVILLE. 41 

thorough instructor. In these early days, too, Stuart 
marked out for promotion more than one gallant spirit 
who served under him with distinction in subsequent 
and more important campaigns. Beckham, who han- 
dled his guns so well at Manassas, commanded the 
horse artillery after the death of Pelham, and proved 
himself no unworthy successor of that young hero. 
Promoted to chief of artillery of Hood's army, he laid 
down his life before the intrenchments at Nashville. 
Rosser, of the Washington Artillery, courted distinc- 
tion under the eye of Stuart ; and owed his subsequent 
rank as much to the favor of that officer, and to the 
restraints which he threw about him, as he did .to his 
own unquestioned talents, — a debt which he has of 
late but ill repaid by unnecessary reflections on the 
military character of his dead chief. 

With restless activity Stuart pursued a well-directed 
system of annoyance against the Federal pickets, drove 
them from Mason's, Munson's, and Upton's hills, and 
established his own headquarters on Munson's Hill, with 
his pickets within sight of the spires of Washington. 
Here he maintained himself for some weeks. 

On the 11th of September a reconnoissance was made 
to Lewinsville by a force of about 1,800 Federal infantry 
and cavalry, with four pieces of artillery, commanded 
by Colonel I. I. Stevens, of the 79th New York Infan- 
try. This force was subsequently augmented by the 
arrival of other portions of the brigade under Brigadier- 
General W. F. Smith. The object of the reconnois- 
sance was to examine the ground in the vicinity of 
Lewinsville, with a view to its permanent occupancy. 
Stuart was informed of this movement, and started 
about midday to oppose it. He took with him three 
hundred and five men of the 13th Virginia Infantry, one 
section of Rosser' s battery, and two companies of the 1st 



42 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

Virginia Cavalry. Before he could reach Lewinsville 
the enemy had been in occupation of the place for some 
hours, and having completed their examination of the 
ground, were about to retire. Stuart attacked their 
right flank as their skirmishers were in the act of with- 
drawing. It seems from the Federal reports that this 
attack was accompanied by the effects of a surprise, 
and that no vigorous resistance was offered, and no 
effort made to develop the strength of Stuart's attack. 
The Federal troops were content to have made a suc- 
cessful reconnoissance. They acknowledge the loss of 
two killed, thirteen wounded, and three missing. Stu- 
art lost neither man nor horse. 1 

During this period Stuart was reporting to General 
James Longstreet, who commanded the advance forces 
of the Confederate army. His activity and capacity 
could not fail to secure the approbation of his superior 
officers and their united efforts for his advancement. 
Already, on the 10th of August, in a letter to President 
Davis, General Johnston had thus recommended his 
promotion : — 

He is a rare man, wonderfully endowed by nature with the 
qualities necessary for an officer of light cavalry. Calm, firm, 
acute, active, and enterprising, I know no one more competent 
than he to estimate the occurrences before him at their true 
value. If you add a real brigade of cavalry to this army, you 
can find no better brigadier-general to command it. 2 

On the 24th of September, 1861, Stuart received his 
promotion as brigadier-general. The loss of most of 
the cavalry records at the close of the Avar renders it 
impossible to state with certainty the original organiza- 
tion of the cavalry brigade ; but the " General Orcler- 
Book," which still survives, shows that in December, 

1 Official Records, vol. ii. p. 167 et seq. 

2 Official Records, vol. v. p. 777. 



THE BATTLE OF DRANESVILLE. 43 

1861, the following regiments were under Stuart's 
command : — 

1st Virginia Cavalry Colonel W. E. Jones. 

2d Virginia Cavalry Colonel R. C. W. Radford. 

4th Virginia Cavalry Colonel B. H. Robertson. 

6th Virginia Cavalry Colonel C. W. Field. 

1st North Carolina Cavalry . . . Colonel R. Ransom, Jr. 

Jeff Davis Legion Cavalry .... Major W. T. Martin. 

The most important event of this period was the bat- 
tle at Dranesville, on December 20, 1861. Stuart had 
been placed in command of four regiments of infantry, 
numbering about 1,600 men, a battery of artillery, and 
150 cavalry, for the purpose of covering a foraging ex- 
pedition of nearly all the wagons of Johnston's army 
to the country west of Dranesville. 

On the same morning, Ord's brigade of McCall's di- 
vision, strengthened by the 1st Pennsylvania Reserve 
Rifles, Colonel T. L. Kane, in all numbering 3,950 offi- 
cers and men, 1 and supported by the two other brigades 
of McCall's division, started for Dranesville, with the 
double purpose of driving back the Confederate pickets, 
which had recently been somewhat advanced, and of 
collecting forage. 2 General Ord's march was made with 
the expectation of finding a considerable body of Con- 
federates in the vicinity of Dranesville. The Confed- 
erate pickets were driven from the town, but remained 
in such close observation of Ord's movements as to 
cause the impression that there was a considerable re- 
serve not far distant. General Ord immediately occu- 
pied advantageous ground with his artillery and two 
of his regiments, and awaited the arrival of the other 
three regiments, all of which were placed in position 
before Stuart's attack was made. 

1 These figures are obtained from the records of the Adjutant-General's 
Office, Washington. 

2 Authority for this and subsequent statements will be found in the Offi- 
cial Records, vol. v. pp. 474-494. 



44 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

In the mean time Stuart, who was entirely ignorant 
of these movements, had sent his cavalry in advance of 
his infantry, expecting to occupy Dranesville, and there 
cover and protect the wagons and men engaged in for- 
aging. When Captain Pitzer, who commanded Stuart's 
advance guard, came within sight of Dranesville, he re- 
ported its occupation by the enemy. Nothing lay be- 
tween the enemy and the foraging parties, whom Stuart 
was bound to protect ; and the only course to save them 
from destruction was to attack and delay the enemy 
where he was until the wagons could be withdrawn. 
Captain Pitzer was at once sent to gain the roads west 
of Dranesville, and warn and recall the wagons, while 
the four regiments of infantry, still three fourths of a 
mile distant, were hurried forward, placed in position 
on the right and left of the road, and advanced to the 
attack. 

Orel's artillery was advantageously posted and admi- 
rably served. On the other hand, Stuart's battery, 
commanded by Captain A. S. Cutts, was, from the na- 
ture of the ground, compelled to take an exceedingly 
unfavorable position, where it could neither protect it- 
self from the destructive fire of the enemy, nor make 
an effective reply. Courage and skill could avail but 
little under such circumstances, and the battery suffered 
most severely in men, horses, and material. One caisson 
was blown up ; and when the troops retired it was nec- 
essary to remove one of the guns by a detail of in- 
fantry soldiers, and to abandon one caisson and one 
limber, for want of horses. Another unfortunate oc- 
currence was that the 1st Kentucky and the 6th South 
Carolina regiments fired into each other by mistake, and 
produced confusion in that part of the line. Against 
such an accident it was difficult to provide in the early 
days of the war. 



THE BATTLE OF DRANESVILLE. 45 

After maintaining the contest for more than two 
hours, Stuart was satisfied that he could not move the 
force in his front, and that reinforcements to the en- 
emy might place him in serious jeopardy. He there- 
fore withdrew, first his guns and the caissons for which 
horses remained, and then his infantry. This move- 
ment was not made a moment too soon ; for even then 
the two other brigades of McCall's division were mov- 
ing into position, and another half-hour would have en- 
veloped Stuart's command in an overwhelming force. 
As it was, the withdrawal was conducted without in- 
terference by the enemy and with success, except that 
one of his regiments, in regaining the road, missed 
the place where they had deposited their knapsacks 
and blankets on going into the fight, and these were 
left as trophies in the enemy's hands. General Ord 
made no advance on Stuart's position until the latter 
had withdrawn from his front. 

Stuart retired for the night to a distance of about 
five miles from Dranesville. On the next morning, 
being reinforced by two regiments of infantry and a 
detachment of cavalry, he returned to the battle-field 
(from which the enemy had retired), buried his dead, 
and recovered eight or ten of his w r ounded. His ag- 
gregate loss in this battle was 194 ; that of the enemy 
was 68. 

This was the first serious check which Stuart had re- 
ceived ; but his conduct on the field only increased the 
confidence of those who served under him. His men 
felt that they had been overmatched and worsted in a 
hot fight, but the manner in which Stuart had extricated 
them from their danger commanded their admiration. 
Sergeant C. W. West, company C, 1st Kentucky In- 
fantry, now a resident of Cynthiana, Ky., gives me the 
following incident : — 



46 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

Captain Desha, of the 1st Kentucky, had been se- 
verely wounded early in the action, but had remained 
on the field with his regiment. When ordered from 
the field, and retiring along the road, Desha was still 
at the head of his company. Stuart approached. Over 
his horse's neck hung a quantity of harness which he 
had stripped from some of the dead artillery horses. 
Recognizing; Desha and his wounded condition, he rode 
to him, and, urgently insisting that Desha should take 
his horse and ride to a place of safety, was in the act 
of dismounting for this purpose when prevented by 
Desha's firm but grateful refusal. 



CHAPTER VI. 

WILLIAMSBURG; SEVEN PINES. 

The months of January and February, 1862, were 
marked by no events of much importance to the cav- 
alry. Early in March the Confederates commenced 
the evacuation of their positions at Manassas, and on 
the 11th of that month the Federal army took posses- 
sion of their abandoned winter quarters. On the 28th 
of March the Federals made a reconnoissance in force 
along the Orange and Alexandria Railroad as far as 
Bealton Station. This movement was watched by 
Stuart with the 1st, 2d, 4th, and 6th regiments of 
Virginia Cavalry, supported by a small force of infan- 
try from General Ewell's command. No serious fight- 
ing occurred, but Stuart reports the capture of about 
fifty prisoners. 

The work of transporting the Federal army from 
Washington to Fortress Monroe commenced about the 
middle of March, and on the 4th of April McClellan 
advanced upon Yorktown. Here he was confronted 
by the army of General Joseph E. Johnston in the 
works constructed by General Magruder during the 
previous year. Having delayed McClellan's advance 
for a month, the untenable position at Yorktown was 
quietly evacuated by the Confederates on the night of 
the 3d of May. The duty of covering this movement 
and of protecting the rear devolved on the cavalry un- 
der Stuart. Colonel Fitz Lee, with the 1st Virginia 



48 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

Cavalry, was sent towards Eltham's Landing to watch 
the York River in that direction. The 4th Virginia 
Cavalry, Lieutenant-Colonel W. C. Wickham ; the Wise 
Legion, Colonel J. Lucius Davis ; and the cavalry of 
the Hampton Legion, under Major M. C. Butler, were 
stationed on the Telegraph Road, the direct route from 
Yorktown to Williamsburg. Stuart himself occupied 
the centre of his line at Blow's Mill, on Skiff Creek, 
having on his right, at Lee's Bridge, the Jeff Davis 
Legion, under Lieutenant-Colonel W. T. Martin. This 
bridge was effectually destroyed before the enemy made 
his appearance. 

The evacuation of Yorktown was a surprise to the 
Federal army. Nothing was in readiness for such an 
event, and it was midday on the 4th before an efficient 
pursuit could be organized. The advance-guard of the 
Federal army consisted of four regiments and a squad- 
ron of cavalry, with four batteries of artillery, under 
the command of Brigadier-General George Stoneman. 
He was supported by two divisions of infantry, Hook- 
er's and Smith's. It was expected that a rapid pur- 
suit along the Telegraph Road would cut off and cap- 
ture whatever portion of the Confederate rear-guard 
might be on the roads south of it, which, leading from 
Blow's Mill and Lee's Bridge, intersected the Telegraph 
Road a short distance in front of Fort Magruder, where 
it was expected that Stuart would concentrate his cav- 
alry. An earlier start or a more vigorous pursuit might, 
perhaps, have accomplished this result. Colonel Wick- 
ham selected a strong position about four miles in 
advance of Williamsburg, where he checked the prog- 
ress of the Federal cavalry until their superiority in 
artillery rendered it necessary for him to withdraw. 
" Having dislodged Wickham from this position, General 
Stoneman sent General Emory, with the 3d Pennsyl- 



Til?: EVACUATION OF YORKTOWN. 49 

vania Cavalry, and Barker's squadron, supported by a 
battery of artillery, to gain the road from Blow's Mill, 
upon which Stuart was operating. The dense woods 
which covered almost the whole face of the country, and 
the swampy nature of the ground, rendered active co- 
operation between Stuart and Wickham impossible ; and 
while Stuart was slowly retiring before the languid ad- 
vance on his front, General Emory had interposed his 
command, and closed the road behind him. The first 
notice that Stuart had of Emory's presence in his rear 
was the return of a courier whom he had sent with a 
despatch to the commanding general, and who narrowly 
escaped capture. Thinking that his courier might 
have encountered a mere scouting party, Stuart sent 
Colonel Thomas F. Goode, with a portion of the 3d 
Virginia Cavalry, to ascertain the true state of affairs. 
A charge by Goode drove in the enemy's advance and 
developed his true strength. Goode lost four men 
wounded in this action, and claims to have counted 
eight of the enemy's dead on the road. No route now 
remained for Stuart but that along the river beach, 
and without a moment's hesitation he moved his com- 
mand down to it, covering his rear by the fire of 
two little mountain howitzers. The enemy made no 
effort to interfere with his withdrawal, and Stuart 
reached Williamsburg about dark. In the mean time 
Wickham had had a fierce fight on the Telegraph Road, 
immediately in front of Fort Magruder, to which he 
had retired in order to gain the support of artillery, 
of which he was destitute. The cavalry fighting here 
seems to have been extremely spirited on both sides, 
the opposing squadrons meeting in well-sustained hand 
to hand encounters. Aided by the Wise Legion and 
the Hampton Legion, Colonel Wickham succeeded in 
keeping the open ground in front of Fort Magruder 

4 



50 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

free from the enemy, who, confined within narrow 
limits by the marshy nature of the ground, suffered 
severely in men and horses under the fire of the artil- 
lery in Fort Magruder, and finally retired, leaving 
behind them one rifle gun and three caissons. During 
the action Colonel Wickham was wounded in the side 
by a sabre thrust, but he remained upon the field until 
the close of the day. 

At daylight the next morning commenced the bat- 
tle of Williamsburg. The nature of the ground ren- 
dered it impossible for the cavalry to participate in the 
fighting, but it was held in reserve in rear of Fort 
Magruder, exposed, throughout the entire day, not 
only to a drenching rain, but also to the fire of the 
enemy's artillery, from which it sustained a number 
of casualties. Stuart himself was, however, by no 
means an idle spectator of the scene. During the 
greater part of the day he was used by General Longj 
street as his medium of communication with the battle- 
field. 

The check received at the battle of Williamsburg, 
and the immense difficulty of forwarding supplies over 
the narrow and miry roads of the peninsula, prevented 
the Federal army from making any further direct at- 
tempt to annoy the Confederate rear. The effort to 
turn the Confederate right flank by debarking Frank- 
lin's division at Eltham's Landing, on the York River, 
resulted in the spirited affair of the 7th of May, in which 
two brigades of Whiting's division, Hood's and Hamp- 
ton's, attacked the enemy and drove him under the 
cover of the fire of his gun-boats. Major-General G. W. 
Smith pays the following tribute to the cavalry : — 

The affair at Eltham forms one of the most interesting in- 
cidents of the march of my command in retiring from York- 
town out of the peninsula. The route is nearly parallel to a 



THE BATTLE OF SEVEN PINES. 51 

deep, navigable river, filled with vessels of war, gun-boats, and 
transports of the enemy. Along this river are many most 
favorable landings, and good lateral roads leading from the 
river, intersecting our line of march at almost every mile, and 
at points varying in distance between one and three miles from 
the river. This delicate movement has been successfully ac- 
complished. 

The comfort and quiet with which the march of the troops 
has been conducted on this line is largely clue to the admira- 
ble dispositions and watchfulness of the cavalry rear-guard, 
first under Colonel Fitz Lee and more recently under Briga- 
dier-General J. E. B. Stuart, supported from day to day by 
brigades detailed for this purpose. 

Until Johnston's army retired into the defences of 
Richmond nothing more occurred on this line save a 
few cavalry skirmishes of so little importance as to be 
unworthy of mention. 

On the 31st of May and the 1st of June was fought 
the battle of Seven Pines. The nature of the battle-field 
forbade the use of cavalry on either side. General 
Longstreet says in his report : — 

Brigadier-General J. E. B. Stuart, in the absence of any 
opportunity to use his cavalry, was of material service by his 
presence with me on the field. 

Major- General G. W. Smith says in his report : — 

Brigadier-General J. E. B. Stuart had been for some time 
attached to my command, but he was during the action of the 
31st principally with that portion of his cavalry attached to 
the three divisions on the right under General Longstreet. 
He gave me the first information received from the right after 
the close of the action, and rendered me very important assist- 
ance during the night. 



CHAPTER VII. 1 

THE CHICKAHOMINY KAID. 

On the 12th, 13th, 14th, and 15th of June, Stuart 
prosecuted his reconnoissance to the rear of McClellan's 
army, which is known as " The Chickahominy Raid." 
This movement had been fully discussed by Lee and 
Stuart in a private interview, and the orders of the 
commanding general were conveyed in the following 
letter, of which the original autograph is now in the 
author's possession : — 

Headquarters Dobb's Farm, llth June, 1862. 

General J. E. B. Stuart, 

Commanding Cavalry. 
General, — You are desired to make a scout movement to 
the rear of the enemy now posted on the Chickahominy, with 
a view of gaining intelligence of his operations, communica- 
tions, etc., and of driving in his foraging parties and securing 
such grain, cattle, etc., for ourselves as you can make ar- 
rangements to have driven in. Another object is to destroy 
his wagon trains, said to be daily passing from the Piping-Tree 
Road to his camp on the Chickahominy. The utmost vigilance 
on your part will be necessary to prevent any surprise to your- 
self, and the greatest caution must be practised in keeping 
well in your front and flanks reliable scouts to give you in- 
formation. You will return as soon as the object of your ex- 
pedition is accomplished; and you must bear constantly in 

1 The official reports, upon which many of the statements contained in 
this chapter are based, can be found in the Official Records, vol. xi. part i. 
p. 1004 et seq. 



THE CHICK A HOMINY RAID. 53 

mind, while endeavoring to execute the general purpose of your 
mission, not to hazard unnecessarily your command, or to 
attempt what your judgment may not approve; but be con- 
tent to accomplish all the good you can, without feeling it 
necessary to obtain all that might be desired. 

I recommend that you take only such men and horses as can 
stand the expedition, and that you use every means in your 
power to save and cherish those you do take. You must leave 
sufficient cavalry here for the service of this army, and re- 
member that one of the chief objects of your expedition is to 
gain intelligence for the guidance of future movements. 
h Information received last evening, the points of which I sent 
you, leads me to infer that there is a stronger force on the 
enemy's right than was previously reported. A large body of 
infantry, as well as cavalry, was reported near the Central 
i Jailroad. 

Should you find, upon investigation, that the enemy is mov- 
ing to his right, or is so strongly posted as to make your ex- 
pedition inopportune, you will, after gaining all the informa- 
tion you can, resume your former position. 

I am, with great respect, your obedient servant, 

R. E. Lee, General. 

Reading this letter, as we now do, in the light of 
subsequent events, we are at no loss to determine that 
the great object of the expedition was to locate, defi- 
nitely, the right wing of McClellan's army, and to as- 
certain whether the plan of moving Jackson upon it 
were feasible. 

Early on the morning of Thursday, the 12th of June, 
Stuart commenced his movement. His force consisted 
of 1,200 cavalry and a section of artillery. The de- 
tachment from the 1st Virginia Cavalry was com- 
manded by Colonel Fitz Lee ; that from the 9th Vir- 
ginia Cavalry, by Colonel W. H. F. Lee ; and that from 
the Jeff Davis Legion, by Lieutenant-Colonel "W. T. 
Martin. No field-officer of the 4th Virginia Cavalry 
was available for this expedition, and the detachment 



54 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

from that regiment was divided between the com- 
mands of Colonel Fitz Lee and Colonel W. H. F. Lee. 
The artillery was commanded by Lieutenant James 
Breathed. 

Desiring to create, if possible, the impression that 
his force was destined to reinforce Jackson, Stuart 
moved northward by the Brook turnpike, and en- 
camped that night on Winston's farm, in the vicinity 
of Taylorsville, twenty-two miles distant from Rich- 
mond. Early on the loth he resumed his march. Up 
to this time no one but himself had any true idea of 
his destination ; but now, in order to secure more in- 
telligent cooperation on the part of his regimental com- 
manders, he made known the general purport of his 
orders to Colonels Fitz Lee, W. H. F. Lee, and Martin. 

Scouts who had been sent out during the niffht had 
returned with the information that the road to Old 
Church was unobstructed, and the head of the column 
was turned eastward toward Hanover Court House. 
Reaching this point about nine o'clock a. m., it was 
found to be in the possession of a body of the enemy's 
cavalry. While occupying their attention in front, 
Stuart sent Fitz Lee to make a detour to the right, and 
to endeavor to reach their rear. But the enemy did 
not await the consummation of this movement. Before 
Fitz Lee could reach the desired position, they with- 
drew in the direction of Mechanicsville, and were al- 
lowed to pursue their way unmolested. A sergeant 
belonging to the 6th U. S. Cavalry was captured from 
this party. Stuart now moved forward by Taliafer- 
ro's Mill and Enon Church to Hawes' Shop, where 
the enemy's pickets from Old Church were first en- 
countered. His march up to that point had not, how- 
ever, been unobserved. Two squadrons of the 5th U. 
S. Cavalry, under command of Captain W. B. Roy all, 



THE CHICK A HOMINY RAID. 55 

were stationed at Old Church, and it was the daily 
duty of this command to send a scouting party north- 
ward on the road to Hanover Court House. On this 
morning that duty devolved on company F, under the 
command of Lieutenant E. H. Leib. This officer re- 
ports that he advanced to a point about a half a mile 
from Hanover Court House, and discovered the pres- 
ence of the Confederate cavalry at about eleven o'clock 
A. m. He estimated the force he could observe at two 
squadrons of cavalry, and as this was superior to his 
own he retired behind the Federal picket at Hawes' 
Shop, where he received orders from Captain Royall to 
retire still further in the direction of Old Church. 

The 9th Virginia Cavalry led Stuart's advance, and 
the advance-guard was intrusted to Adjutant Robbins 
of that regiment, who managed his men so well that, 
although the Federal picket had full warning of his 
approach, he succeeded in capturing several men and 
horses. No serious resistance was offered until the ad- 
vance reached Totopotomoy Creek, where the advan- 
tages of the ground tempted Lieutenant Leib to make 
a stand. The road here passes through a deep ravine, 
whose steep banks are fringed with laurel and pine, 
the narrow road permitting a direct attack only in col- 
umn of fours. Both north of the creek and at the 
bridge Lieutenant Leib halted his small command, and 
resisted the advance-guard, until flanking parties thrown 
out on either side by the 9th Virginia admonished him 
that he must retire. Had the whole of Captain Roy- 
all's command defended the Totopotomy bridge, Stuart's 
advance might have been delayed so long as, perhaps, 
to render his subsequent movements impossible. But 
Lieutenant Leib was pushed back beyond that favor- 
able position to the junction of the road which leads by 
Bethesda Church to Mechanicsville. Here Captain 



56 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

Eoyall assumed the command, and drew up his force 
to receive the attack. 

Without hesitation Stuart charged the enemy with 
Crutchfield's squadron of the 9th Virginia. This squad- 
ron consisted at that time of the Mercer Cavalry, from 
Spottsylvania County, company E ; and the Essex 
Light Dragoons, from Essex County, company F. 
Corbin Crutchfield, of company E, was senior captain, 
but could not accompany this expedition, having been 
disabled by an accident. The command devolved on 
Captain Latane, of company F, who, with soldierly 
courtesy, declined to take the post of honor from com- 
pany E, but led the charge at the head of the Spottsyl- 
vania men. The charge was made in column of fours, 
and with the sabre. It was received by the enemy 
standing in line, drawn up in the road and on either 
side of it, and with an almost harmless discharge of 
their pistols. Captain Latane and Captain Royall met 
hand to hand, the one with sabre, the other with pistol, 
and Latane received instant death. Royall was wounded 
severely by Latane's sabre and by the men who charged 
close at Latane's side, and his squadrons were driven 
into hurried flight. The discipline of the regular ser- 
vice, however, asserted itself, and within a few hundred 
yards the Federal cavalry wheeled into line, in beautiful 
order, again to receive, and again to be broken by the 
charge of company E. A second halt was attended by 
the same result. 1 These movements, and the detach- 
ments necessarily made to guard the flanks, had con- 

1 It is but just to Captain Royall to say that he states that his force did 
not exceed one hundred men, Captain Harrison, his second in command, 
being absent on a flag of truce with a part of his company. It is also true 
that the force which attacked Royall — one squadron of the 9th Virginia 
Cavalry — was probably smaller than his own. This squadron was, how- 
ever, backed by sufficient numbers to secure success had the first onset 
failed. 



/ 



DESTRUCTION OF CAMP AT OLD CHURCH. 57 

sumed the 9th Virginia, and had brought Colonel Fitz 
Lee, with the 1st Virginia, to the front. The 5th 
United States Cavalry had formerly been designated 
as the 2d, and was Colonel Lee's old regiment. Num- 
bers of the captured soldiers belonged to his former 
company, and in conversation with them he learned 
that their camp was within a short distance. Colonel 
Lee now begged permission from Stuart to follow the 
enemy and capture the camp. This Stuart readily 
granted, but with the injunction that Lee should return 
as speedily as possible. The 1st Virginia pushed rap- 
idly forward to Old Church, where the enemy was 
drawn up to make a last effort in defence of their 
camp. Hardly awaiting the charge of the 1st Virginia, 
they retired toward the Federal army, and were seen 
no more. Fitz Lee now took possession, and the camp 
was speedily destroyed. It was a little removed from 
the road, but in full sight of it. While still there, and 
much to his surprise, Colonel Lee saw Stuart's column 
moving southward in the direction of Tunstall's Sta- 
tion, and as he passed, Stuart called out to Lee to fol- 
low when his work was completed. It is the opinion 
of General Fitz Lee, recently expressed to me, that it 
was Stuart's intention, after the dispersion of Roy all's 
cavalry, to retire by the same road upon which he had 
advanced ; but having consented that Lee should at- 
tempt the capture of the camp at Old Church he fol- 
lowed him to witness the result, and then changed his 
determination. 

Stuart had now accomplished the main object of 
the expedition. He had ascertained that the Federal 
army had not extended its right wing in the direction 
of the railroad and of Hanover Court House; and with 
this as the sole result of his movement, he knew that 
his commander would be satisfied. But he must now 



58 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

determine how he could most safely convey this infor- 
mation within the Confederate lines. Two courses 
only lay open to him : he must either return by the 
same road on which he had advanced, or he must make 
the entire circuit of the Federal army, crossing the 
Chickahominy at one of the lower fords. If he returned 
by the same route he must, of necessity, pass through 
Hanover Court House, for the recent rains had ren- 
dered the South Anna River unfordable, and a detour 
northward was impossible. The presence of the de- 
tachment of Federal cavalry which he had encountered 
at that point early in the morning warned him that a 
much larger body might be expected to be awaiting his 
return. To the south and west of him lay the Federal 
army, some of the camps of their infantry being within 
five miles of the road on which he was operating, to 
which numerous roads leading from those camps gave 
easy access. Stuart was on the outer and longer line, 
the enemy held the inner and shorter line. It was now 
between three and four o'clock in the afternoon ; the 
enemy's camps had, of course, been aroused, and even 
should he escape their infantry, he must certainly ex- 
pect to encounter their cavalry before reaching Hano- 
ver Court House, and in the darkness of the night. If 
anything of perplexity existed in Stuart's mind when 
called upon to make his choice, nothing of it was ap- 
parent in his manner. Everything moved forward as 
in accordance with a predetermined plan, and no one 
could suspect that the turning-point of the expedition 
had been reached and passed. 

Let us now see how the Federal forces were occupied. 
Major Lawrence Williams, 6th United States Cavalry, 
reports that he encountered Stuart's picket, near the 
scene of the action with Captain Royall, at half past 
three o'clock. Doubtless this picket was in the act of 



MOVEMENTS OF THE FEDERAL FORCES. 59 

withdrawing when observed by Major Williams, for he 
occupied the road in roar of Stuart's column one half 
hour after it had passed on ; and having sent a picket 
to the Totopotomoy bridge, and a scouting party to fol- 
low Stuart's column, he soon discovered the presence 
of the Confederates on the road to the White House. 
Major Williams reports the strength of the 6th Cavalry 
at three hundred and eighty men. He was soon joined 
by the 5th United States Cavalry, the 5th Pennsyl- 
vania Cavalry, Colonel Rush, and by a brigade of in- 
fantry under Colonel G. K. Warren. In the light of 
these reports it is evident that retreat by the Han- 
over Court House road was seriously impeded, if not 
effectually closed, at the Totopotomoy Creek, almost 
immediately after Stuart passed on, and certainly be- 
fore Fitz Lee had completed the destruction of Roy all's 
camp. Even then a vigorous pursuit might greatly have 
embarrassed Stuart, but he was favored by the uncer- 
tainty of the Federal officers as to the character of his 
command. Lieutenant Byrnjes, of the 5th Cavalry, 
thou sf ht he had seen seven regiments of Confederate 
infantry, 1 and the first reports brought in to General P. 
St. George Cooke led that officer to suppose that he 

1 Lieutenant Byrnes says in his report : "It is proper for me to state in 
connection with this report, that when retreating, and when about one mile 
from Old Church, I saw the head of a column of infantry advancing on 
the road leading into the Hanovertown Ferry road. The pickets which 
were driven in saw the same body of infantry." 

Major Lawrence Williams says : "Lieutenant Byrnes also reported, that 
whilst retreating from the battle-field he had seen infantry about a mile from 
me (five regiments, I think), on the Hanovertown road, which came on to 
the Old Church road about a mile ahead of me." 

Brigadier-General W. H. Emory says: "He (Byrnes) had seen near 
Old Church five regiments of the enemy's infantry, which went to corrobo- 
rate his information." 

Colonel G. K. Warren says : "There was also a statement, that Lieu- 
tenant Byrnes (I believe that is the name) had seen about seven regiments 
of infantry at the place where the pickets were first attacked. ... I never 
for a moment believed we had any evidence of an infantry force." 



60 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

was about to be attacked in his camp by a greatly su- 
perior force. Major Williams and Colonel Warren seem 
to have been incredulous about the infantry business, 
but Lieutenant Byrnes' report produced its effect, and 
General Cooke was ordered by General Fitz John Porter 
to use caution in his advance, and not to attack, with 
cavalry alone, superior forces of the enemy. This gave 
Stuart all the time he needed, and before his movements 
could be satisfactorily determined the present danger 
had passed, and he was safely on his way to Tunstall's 
Station and the White House. 

Up to this time Stuart had inflicted but little dam- 
age upon the enemy, but he was now directly upon 
their line of communications, and he proceeded to exe- 
cute the second part of the instructions given to him 
by General Lee. While on the road to Tunstall's Sta- 
tion numbers of wagons, whose drivers were entirely 
unconscious of danger, fell into his hands. When he 
reached Garlick's, two squadrons, Knight's, of the 9th 
Virginia, and Hammond's, of the 1st Virginia, were 
sent to Putney's Ferry, and burned two large trans- 
ports loaded with stores, together with a number of 
wagons constituting the supply train of the 17th and 
44th New York volunteer regiments. The loss in- 
flicted here was very considerable. 

As Stuart approached Tunstall's Station, he sent for- 
ward rapidly a body of picked men, including his 
aids, Burke, Farley, and Mosby, to capture the depot, 
'J cut the telegraph wires, and obstruct the railroad. An 
linfantry guard of fifteen men was captured at the de- 
jpot without firing a gun, and the work of obstructing 
'the railroad commenced. Before this could be done in 
a satisfactory manner a train of cars approached from 
the direction of Dispatch Station. Seeing the obstruc- 
tion and suspecting its cause, the engineer refused to 



TUNSTALL'S STATION. 61 

obey the command to halt, but crowding on steam, 
dashed through, running the gauntlet of the fire which 
was poured into the train from both sides of the road. 
On the cars two men were killed and eight were 
wounded by this attack. A few, who in fright and be- 
wilderment jumped from the speeding train, were dis- 
abled and captured. 

#* The great depot of the Federal army was the White 
House, on the Pamunkey River, less than four miles 
distant from Tunstall's Station. This depot was 
"guarded by gun-boats, and by a garrison of six hundred 
men, including five companies of the 11th Pennsylva- 
nia Cavalry, under Colonel Harlan. Lieutenant- Colo- 
nel Rufus Ingalls, aid-de-camp, was in command of 
the post. As Stuart approached Tunstall's Station a 
scouting party of cavalry retired toward the White 
House. His presence was of course known, and he 
might reasonably expect an attack from that direction. 
He was still within five or six miles of the camps of 
McClellan's army, and the railroad could readily trans- 
port a large force of infantry to his immediate vicinity. 
He therefore wisely forbore to make any attack upon 
the White House, remembering the instructions of his 
commander : 7 Be content to accomplish all the good 
you can, without feeling it necessary to obtain all that 
might be desired.^ Could he have spared the time, the 
prize at the White House would have been rich beyond 
description ; but even at Tunstall's Station the property 
which fell into his hands was large. A wagon train, 
loaded and on its way to the army ; cars standing at 
the depot and loaded with corn and forage, were speed- 
ily destroyed, while the sutlers' stores and wagons 
furnished abundant rations for the hungry men. Al- 
though provided with only such implements as could 
be collected from the neighboring: houses, the tele- 



62 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

graph poles were destroyed to a considerable extent, 
and the railroad bridge over Black Creek was burned. 
This work occupied Stuart's command until about dark, 
when the head of the column was started for Talleys- 
ville, four miles distant. One who has never partici- 
pated in such a scene can form but a faint idea of the 
careless gayety of the men. In its grimmer aspects 
war must always be a terrible thing, even to those most 
accustomed to it ; but it was just such experiences as 
this which gave pith and meaning to Stuart's favorite 
song : — 

" If you want to have a good time, 
Jine the cavalry ; " 

and gayest among the gay, and apparently most un- 
concerned among the careless, was he upon whom all 
the responsibility rested. 

It would be a great mistake to suppose that Stuart 
allowed himself to drift by accident into such a position 
as that in which he was now situated. Every chance 
had been carefully calculated. The New Kent com- 
pany of the 3d Virginia Cavalry furnished scouts and 
guides who were acquainted with every foot of the 
country he was now traversing, and individual scouts 
had carefully located many of the enemy's positions be- 
fore he started. Stuart chiefly relied, in this expedi- 
tion, on Lieutenant (afterwards Captain) Jones Chris- 
tian and Private Richard E. Frayser, of the New Kent 
company, as his guides. Frayser had led the advance- 
guard from Old Church to Tunstall's Station, and had 
nearly succeeded in capturing the scouting party which 
occupied that place at the time of his arrival. For his 
invaluable services on this expedition he was promoted 
to a captaincy in the signal corps, and was thereafter 
attached to Stuart's staff. Christian led the advance 
from Talleysville to the Chickahominy. His home, 



THE RETURN MARCH. 63 

known as Sycamore Springs, lay along the bank of the 
river, and it was at a private ford on this farm that 
Stuart expected to cross. 

At Talleysville Stuart halted for three hours and a 
half, to give his men some rest and to allow the scat- 
tered detachments to come in. At midnight he started 
for the Chickahominy. It appears from the report of 
General J. F. Reynolds, who reached Tunstall's Station 
at this same hour with his brigade of infantry, that 
Stuart's rear-guard did not leave Tunstall's Station 
until about eleven o'clock. General Emory, with Rush's 
Lancers, arrived at Tunstall's at two o'clock. It thus 
appears that Stuart had the start of his pursuers only 
by two hours of time and four miles of distance. The 
11th Pennsylvania Cavalry, from the White House, 
could readily have kept within sight of him, but no 
attempt was made to follow until daylight the next 
morning. 

At midnight, as has already been stated, Stuart re- 
sumed his march for the vicinity of Forge Bridge, eight 
miles distant. The 9th Virginia Cavalry, under Colo- 
nel W. H. F. Lee, still held the advance. Day was 
dawning on the 14th as Lieutenant Christian led the 
way to the ford which, within his knowledge, had al- 
ways afforded a safe, or at least a practicable, passage 
of the river. But the recent rains had swollen the river 
beyond precedent. The banks were overflowed, and 
an immense volume of water rushed madly on, as if 
mocking the weary horsemen who stood upon the 
bank. Colonel Lee determined not to relinquish the 
attempt to cross at this point, unless it were proven to 
be impracticable. Accompanied by a few of his men 
he entered the angry water and essayed to reach the 
opposite side by swimming. He did reach it, but only 
after encountering imminent peril ; for beside the dan- 



64 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

ger arising from the rapid current, the feet of several 
of the horses became entangled in the roots of trees 
and other obstructions on the bank, and some of them 
were rescued with difficulty. Colonel Lee would not 
consent to be separated from his regiment, and re- 
crossed the river by swimming ; but the experiment 
satisfied him that the passage in this manner was im- 
practicable for the command. Axes were now pro- 
cured, and the effort was made to span the river by 
felling trees, upon which it was thought a temporary 
bridge might be laid ; but as their tops reached the 
water the current swept them down the stream as if 
they had been reeds. 

At this juncture Stuart reached the ford. It could 
not be expected that the enemy would long delay pur- 
suit, nor did any way appear by which the river could 
be crossed without serious loss. Every face showed 
anxious care, save that of Stuart himself, who sat upon 
his horse, stroking his long beard, as was his custom in 
moments of serious thought. Having first sent a de- 
spatch by Corporal Turner Doswell to inform General 
Lee of his situation, and to ask that a diversion might 
be made in his favor on the Charles City Road, he set 
about to find the means to relieve his command from 
its unpleasant position. He soon learned that about a 
mile below the ford were the remains of the old bridge, 
where the road from Providence Forge to Charles City 
Court House crosses the river. Instantly he aban- 
doned the attempt at Christian's Ford and moved to 
the bridge below. Enough of the debris of the old 
bridge remained to facilitate the construction of an- 
other. A large, abandoned warehouse stood near at 
hand, and a party was at once set to work under the 
direction of Captain Redmond Burke and Corporal 
Henry Hagan to tear down this house and convey the 



AT THE FORGE BRIDGE. 65 

timbers to the river. Never did men work with more alac- 
rity. In a wonderfully short time a foot-way was con- 
structed, over which the cavalrymen at once commenced 
to pass, holding the bridles of their horses as they swam 
at their side. About one half of the command was sent 
over in this manner, while the work of enlarging and 
strengthening the bridge was prosecuted most industri- 
ously. Within three hours it was ready for cavalry 
and artillery, and by one o'clock p. m. the whole com- 
mand had crossed. Fitz Lee was the last man to step 
upon the bridge. During these hours of earnest work 
he had maintained the rear-guard at such a distance as 
to secure the command from interruption. Once or 
twice the enemy had made his appearance in small 
force, but as Lee advanced to attack, had retired. 

The greatest perils of the expedition were now safely 
passed, but its difficulties and dangers were by no 
means over. Stuart was still more than thirty-five 
miles from Richmond, and at least twenty of those 
miles lay within the enemy's lines. Until he should 
have passed over that distance he could not feel secure 
against attack. Federal gun-boats lay upon the James 
River, within sight of which he must pass, and General 
Hooker occupied the line of the White Oak Swamp, in 
close proximity to his road to Richmond. Nothing 
would be easier than to throw a force of infantry across 
his path from Hooker's position. But these dangers 
seemed as nothing in comparison with those from which 
they had just escaped, and the enthusiasm of the troops 
knew no bounds. To secure themselves from attack in 
the rear, the torch was applied to the newly constructed 
bridge, and they soon had the satisfaction of knowing 
that pursuit from that direction was impossible. A few 
Federal cavalrymen appeared on the hill beyond just 
as the destruction of the bridge was completed. 



66 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

A short distance above the bridge a fork of the 
Chickahominy leaves the main current, forming an 
island in the river. This stream, ordinarily shallow, 
was now both deep and rapid ; but it was forded with- 
out loss, except that the pole of one of the gun-lim- 
bers was broken, and the limber was abandoned on 
the north side of the river. Without halting for rest, 
Stuart passed up the north bank of the Chickahominy 
to the residence of Mr. Thomas Christian, and thence 
to the vicinity of Charles City Court House, where he 
and his staff were most hospitably entertained at the 
mansion of Judge Isaac H. Christian. His command 
bivouacked at Buckland, the residence of Colonel J. M. 
Wilcox. For thirty-six hours the men had been con- 
tinuously in the saddle, and the remainder of the clay 
was given to rest and sleep. At sunset Stuart turned 
over the command to Colonel Fitz Lee, with orders to 
resume the march to Richmond at eleven o'clock p. m. 
Taking with him one courier and Frayser, his gallant 
and trusted guide, Stuart hastened to report in person 
to General Lee the results of his reconnoissance. The 
distance from Charles City Court House to Richmond 
is about thirty miles, and for two thirds of that dis- 
tance he would be in danger of meeting scouting par- 
ties of the enemy. But he did not hesitate to take the 
risk. Once only did he halt, at Rowland's Mill, to 
drink a cup of coffee ; and before sunrise on the 15th 
he reached General Lee's headquarters. Having com- 
municated the intelligence he had gained, and having 
received the congratulations of his commander, he 
almost immediately rejoined his command. Aftei 
reaching Richmond, and while Stuart was riding to 
General Lee's headquarters, Frayser was sent to an- 
nounce his safe return to Mrs. Stuart and to Governor 
John Letcher, and from the governor he received a 



RESULTS OF THE EXPEDITWX. G7 

handsome sabre in recognition of his valuable ser- 
vices. 

The results of the expedition were important and 
satisfactory. One hundred and sixty-five prisoners 
were turned over to the provost-marshal in Richmond, 
and two hundred and sixty captured horses and mules 
were added to the quartermaster's department of the 
cavalry. The destruction of Federal property was 
great. Colonel Ingalls, commanding at the White 
House says : — 

So far as this depot was directly concerned, it lost the two 
schooners and some forage, amount unknown, and in all not to 
exceed seventy-five wagons. There were more trains lost, 
probably, but they were in possession of brigade quartermas- 
ters serving with the army in front. 

The greatest results, however, were those which fol- 
lowed from the information obtained by Stuart. All 
doubt as to the location of the Federal army was solved, 
and the possibility was demonstrated of those move- 
ments which, on the 27th of June, culminated in the 
defeat of the Federal right wing at Cold Harbor. Aside 
from these strategic considerations the influence of this 
expedition on the morale not only of the cavalry, but 
of the whole army, was most important ; and we have 
the authority of the Comte de Paris for the statement 
that by it the confidence of the North in McClellan was 
shaken. 

The only casualty which occurred in Stuart's com- 
mand was the fall of Latane. He died as became a 
soldier, in the moment of victory, " With his back to 
the field and his feet to the foe." The concurrent 
testimony of Mrs. W. B. Newton and of Mr. 0. F. At- 
kinson, who aided in the burial of Latane, gives the 
following account of that mournful but interesting 
ceremony. 



68 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

John Latane, a member of the 9th Virginia Cavalry, 
remained with the body of his brother when the com- 
mand passed on toward Old Church. A cart, returning 
from mill, carried the body to the house of Dr. Brock- 
enborough, where John Latane gave the dead into the 
kind care of Mrs. Brockenborough. A Federal guard 
was stationed at this house, and John Latane of course 
could not remain. He at once proceeded to the neigh- 
boring house of Captain W. B. Newton, to obtain assist- 
ance and information which would enable him to escape 
from the enemy's lines. Mrs. Newton gave him the 
necessary instructions, and loaned to him her old blind 
horse, almost her only dependence. Mrs. Willoughby 
Newton, Mrs. W. B. Newton, and Mr. James Lowry, 
the manager of the farm, then repaired to the assist- 
ance of Mrs. Brockenborough, and the body of Latane 
was made ready for burial. A coffin was procured 
with great difficulty. As there was no burial-ground 
on the plantation of Dr. Brockenborough, the body 
was removed on the following morning to Summer 
Hill, the residence of Captain W. B. Newton, and was 
interred in the old Page family burial-ground. The 
ladies were not allowed to attempt to secure the ser- 
vices of a clergyman ; but the burial-service of the 
Episcopal Church was read at the grave by Mr. R. E. 
Atkinson, at the request of Mrs. W. B. Newton. Thus 
did tender hands and sympathizing hearts perform the 
last kind offices for this brave young man. 

It is proper to record the names of those whose con- 
duct on this expedition won the especial commenda- 
tion of their commander. General Stuart says in his 
report : — 

I am most of all indebted to First Lieutenant D. A. Timber- 
lake, 4th Virginia Cavalry ; Second Lieutenant Jones R. Chris- 



RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PROMOTION. 69 

tian, and Private R. E. Frayser, 3d Virginia Cavalry, who 
were ever in advance, and without whose thorough knowledge 
of the country and valuable assistance I could have effected 
nothing. 

The following paper accompanied General Stuart's 
report : — 

Headquarters Cavalry Brigade, June 17, 1862. 

General, — I have the honor to append to the report of 
the Pamunkey expedition the following recommendations, 
which were suggested more particularly by the distinguished 
services rendered then : — 

1st. Colonel Fitzhugh Lee, 1st Virginia Cavalry, for promo- 
tion as brigadier-general of cavalry. In my estimation no one 
in the Confederacy possesses more of the elements of what a 
brigadier of cavalry ought to be than he. 

2d. Colonel W. H. F. Lee, rivalling his cousin in daring 
exploits on this expedition, has established a like claim to pro- 
motion to the same grade. 

3d. Lieutenant-Colonel W. T. Martin to have Shannon's 
and two other companies added to the Legion, so as to be 
colonel, a grade which he has fairly won. 

4th. Assistant-Surgeon J. B. Fontaine to be surgeon of his 
regiment, 4th Virginia Cavalry, now without one. Dr. Fon- 
taine is a man of signal military merit, and an adept in his 
profession. 

5th. M. Heros von Borcke, a Prussian cavalry officer, has 
shown himself a thorough soldier and a splendid officer. 1 
hope the department will confer as high a commission as pos- 
sible on this deserving man, who has cast in his lot with us in 
this trying hour. 

6th. First Lieutenant Redmond Burke to be captain for the 
important service rendered by him on this occasion. 

7th. Captains W. D. Farley and J. O. Mosby, without com- 
missions, have established a claim for position which a grate- 
ful country will not, I trust, disregard. Their distinguished 
services run far back towards the beginning of the war, and 
present a shining record of daring and usefulness. 

8th. First Lieutenant W. T. Robbins, Adjutant of the 9th 



70 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

Virginia Cavalry, would be a valuable addition to the regular 
army. I have the honor to be, general, 

Your most obedient servant, 

J. E. B. Stuart, 
Brigadier- General commanding Cavalry. 
To General R. E. Lee, 

Commanding Departments of Virginia and Carolinas. 

General Lee's congratulatory order is as follows : — 

Headquarters Department of Northern Virginia, 

June 23d, 1862. 

General Orders, No. 74. 

The commanding general announces with great satisfaction 
to the army the brilliant exploit of Brigadier- General J. E. B. 
Stuart, with part of the troops under his command. This gal- 
lant officer, with portions of the 1st, 4th, and 9th Virginia Cav- 
alry, a part of the Jeff Davis Legion, with whom were the Boy- 
kin Rangers, and a section of the Stuart Horse Artillery, on 
the 13th, 14th, and 15th of June made a reconnoissance be- 
tween the Pamunkey and Chickahominy rivers, and succeeded 
in passing around the rear of the whole of the Union army, 
routing the enemy in a series of skirmishes, taking a number 
of prisoners, and destroying and capturing stores to a large 
amount. 

Having most successfully accomplished its object, the expe- 
dition recrossed the Chickahominy almost in the presence of 
the enemy, with the same coolness and address that marked 
every step of its progress, and with the loss of but one man, 
the lamented Captain Latane, of the 9th Virginia Cavalry, 
who fell bravely leading a successful charge against a superior 
force of the enemy. In announcing the signal success to the 
army, the general commanding takes great pleasure in express- 
ing his admiration of the courage and skill so conspicuously 
exhibited throughout by the general and the officers and men 
under his command. 

In addition to the officers honorably mentioned in the re- 
port of the expedition, the conduct of the following privates 
has received the special commendation of their respective 
commanders : Private Thomas D. Clapp, Co. D, 1st Virginia 



CONGRATULATORY ORDER. 71 

Cavalry, and J. S. Mosby, serving in the same regiment ; pri- 
vates Ashton, Brent, R. Herring, F. Herring, and F. Coleman, 
Co. E, 9th Virginia Cavalry. 

By command of General Lee, 

R. H. Chilton, A. A. G. 



CHAPTER VIII. 

THE SEVEN DATS' BATTLES AROUND RICHMOND. 

In order that the movements of the Confederate cav- 
alry during the " Seven Days' Battles around Rich- 
mond " may be understood, it is necessary to relate the 
operations of those divisions of Lee's army with which 
it was in immediate connection. 

The order of battle issued by General Lee on the 24th 
of June assumed that Jackson's command would be able 
to reach the vicinity of the Central Railroad on the 25th, 
and be in position to turn the enemy's right flank early 
on the 26th. Jackson's march was, however, delayed 
to such an extent that he only reached the vicinity of 
Ashland on the night of the 25th. Here he was joined 
by Stuart with the 1st, 4th, and 9th regiments of Vir- 
ginia Cavalry, the Cobb Georgia Legion, the Jeff Da- 
vis Legion, and the Stuart Horse Artillery. The 3d 
and 5th regiments of Virginia Cavalry, the Hampton 
Legion, and the 1st North Carolina Cavalry were sta- 
tioned on the right of the Confederate army, observing 
the country between the White Oak Swamp and the 
James River. The 10th Virginia Cavalry was held in 
reserve on the Nine Mile Road. 

The positions held by the Federal army on the 25th 
of June were nearly the same as at the time of Stuart's 
reconnoissance. The three divisions of the 5th corps 
under General Fitz John Porter, occupied the north 
bank of the Chickahominy. Taylor's brigade of Frank- 
lin's corps, which had constituted the extreme right at 



JACKSON'S MARCH FROM ASHLAND. 73 

Mechanicsville, was withdrawn on the 19th, and re- 
placed by McCall's division of the 5th corps. This 
appears to have been the only change on the Federal 
right wing since the 15th of June. The remainder of 
McClellan's forces extended south of the Chickahoniiny 
to the White Oak Swamp. Generals Stoneman and 
Emory observed the country north of Mechanicsville 
towards Atlee's Station and Hanover Court House with 
cavalry. The official reports do not show what cavalry 
was under General Stoneman's command, but on the 
night of the 25th he was reinforced by two regiments 
of infantry from Morell's division — the 18th Massachu- 
setts and the 17th New York. Colonel H. S. Lansing, 
of the 17th New York, states that the cavalry force 
under General Stoneman consisted of two regiments 
and a light battery. 1 

Leaving Ashland early on the 26th, Jackson pursued 
the Ashcake Road and crossed the Central Railroad about 
ten o'clock a. m. Here he met the first Federal cav- 
alry picket or scout. Stuart covered his left flank by 
the march of his column and by scouts as far north as 
Hanover Court House. At Taliaferro's Mill, Stuart en- 
countered a cavalry picket, which retired before him, 
skirmishing, by way of Dr. Shelton's, to the Totopo- 
tomoy. A part of Stuart's command scouted the road 
past Enon Church to Hawes' Shop. At Dr. Shelton's, 
Stuart awaited the arrival of Jackson's column, having 
sent one squadron to seize the bridge over the Totopo- 
tomoy. The enemy, however, had burned this bridge, 
and held the opposite bank until the arrival of the 
Texas brigade of Whiting's division, whose skirmishers 
crossed the stream and drove them away. The bridge 
was rebuilt, and Jackson's march was continued. His 
divisions rested for the night in the vicinity of Pole 

1 Official Records, vol. xi. part ii. p. 332. 



74 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

Green Church and Hundley's Corner, his left still cov- 
ered by Stuart's cavalry. 1 

General Lee's plan of battle had contemplated an at- 
tack upon the enemy's positions in the vicinity of Me- 
chanicsville at an early hour on the 26th, in which 
Jackson was to play the all-important part of turning 
the Federal right in their strong position on Beaver 
Dam Creek. But as we have already seen, Jackson's 
march had been unexpectedly delayed ; and although 
nothing had been heard from him since early in the 
day, General A. P. Hill, at three o'clock p. m., crossed 
the Chickahominy at Meadow Bridge, with five of his 
brigades, and drove the enemy back upon their impreg- 
nable line on Beaver Dam Creek. This movement un- 
covered the bridge at Mechanicsville for Longstreet, 
who had been waiting since early in the morning for 
an opportunity to cross. 

The Federal position on Beaver Dam was to be ap- 
proached only by two roads ; the one leading from Me- 
chanicsville northward to the Pamunkey, the other cross- 
ing the creek lower down at Ellyson's Mill, and leading 

1 Brigadier- General H. C. Whiting says, in his report : " Discovered an 
advance post of cavalry west of the Totopotomoy, which fled at our ap- 
proach. At three o'clock reached the creek, found the bridge in flames, 
and a party of the enemy engaged in blocking the road on the opposite 
side. The Texan skirmishers gallantly crossed and engaged. Reilly's bat- 
tery being brought up, with a few rounds dispersed the enemy ; the bridge 
was rebuilt and the troops crossed, continuing on the road to Pole Green 
Church, or Hundley's Corner. Here we united with Ewell's division, and, 
night coming on, bivouacked. A furious cannonade in the direction of Me- 
chanicsville indicated a severe battle." — Official Records, vol. xi. part ii. p. 
562. 

Brigadier-General Isaac Pi. Trimble says in his report : " On the 26th 
we moved with the army from Ashland in a southerly direction, passing to 
the east of Mechanicsville in the afternoon, and at four p. M. heard dis- 
tinctly the volleys of artillery and musketry in the engagement of General 
Hill with the enemy. Before sundown the firing was not more than two 
miles distant, and in my opinion we should have marched to the support of 
General Hill that evening." — Official Records, vol. xi. part ii. p. 614. 



THE BATTLE OF MECHANICSV1LLE. 75 

towards Cold Harbor. Field's, Archer's, and Anderson's 
brigades, of A. P. Hill's division, attacked the upper po- 
sition, while Pender's brigade, aided by Ripley's, of D. 
H. Hill's division, assailed the lower. Neither effort 
was attended with success, and after sustaining heavy 
losses, the Confederate lines withdrew, at nine o'clock, 
from the unavailing contest. Early the next morning 
the attack was renewed ; but without more favorable 
results. After two hours of fighting, the Federal troops 
were withdrawn to take position at Gaines' Mill. This 
movement was the necessary result of the march of 
Jackson's command, which now rendered the position 
at Beaver Dam untenable. It seems from General 
Trimble's report that Jackson might have reached this 
same point on the previous evening, and that it was 
within his power to have rendered efficient aid to the 
troops which were there engaged. The Federal line 
on Beaver Dam was held, mainly, by two brigades of 
McCall's division, who, protected by their works, in- 
flicted upon their assailants a loss probably ten times as 
great as they themselves suffered. The withdrawal of 
McCall on the morning of the 27th under fire, and in 
the presence of a superior force of the enemy, was 
conducted in a manner worthy of praise. 

During the morning of the 27th Longstreet and A. P. 
Hill moved down the Chickahominy towards Gaines' 
Mill, while D. H. Hill moved by way of Bethesda 
Church to Cold Harbor. Jackson crossed Beaver Dam 
Creek early in the morning, and advanced to Walnut 
Grove Church ; then bearing to his left, moved on Cold 
Harbor. Finding his road obstructed, he was com- 
pelled to make a still wider detour to the left, which 
threw him in the rear of D. H. Hill. 

Meantime Stuart had covered the left of Jackson's 
march, and having thoroughly scoured the country 



76 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

toward the Pamunkey as far as Old Church, had ad- 
vanced by way of Beulah Church, and had taken posi- 
tion on Jackson's left, in readiness to intercept the 
enemy should he attempt to retreat to the Pamunkey 
by way of Old Cold Harbor. The battle at Gaines' 
Mill was opened by A. P. Hill at about 2.30 p. m., and 
soon extended from right to left along the whole Con- 
federate line. On Jackson's line there was no op- 
portunity to use artillery during the earlier part of 
the battle. Stuart was the first to find a suitable 
position. Observing, late in the evening, a movement 
of the enemy's artillery on the road from Grapevine 
Bridge, two of Pelham's guns, a twelve-pounder Blakely 
and a Napoleon, were ordered forward to meet it. The 
Blakely gun was disabled at the first fire, leaving the 
Napoleon to encounter alone the two batteries to which 
it was opposed. Pelham maintained the unequal con- 
test with the same courage which subsequently, at 
Fredericksburg, called forth the praise of Lee and 
Jackson. By the personal efforts of General Jackson, 
whose attention was called to the position occupied by 
Pelham, he was reinforced by the batteries of Brocken- 
borough, Carrington, and Courtney. 

The design of the Federal commander was not yet 
manifest, and it was still deemed possible that he might 
attempt to retreat toward the Pamunkey River. When 
the Federal lines had been forced at Gaines' Mill and 
Cold Harbor, Stuart proceeded three miles still further 
to his left, to intercept any movement in that direction ; 
but finding no evidences of a retreat, he returned the 
same night to Cold Harbor. Early the next morning, 
the 28th, General Ewell's division was sent clown the 
Chickahominy to Dispatch Station, and the 9th Virginia 
Cavalry constituted his advance-guard. With his main 
body Stuart pursued a parallel route to the left, and 



MOVEMENTS OF THE CAVALRY. 77 

pushing ahead of Ewell's column, surprised a squadron 
of the enemy's cavalry at Dispatch Station. The 
enemy retreated in the direction of Bottom's Bridge. 
Ewell remained at Dispatch Station during the rest of 
the day, and on the 29th moved to Bottom's Bridge. 
On the following clay he rejoined his corps. 

After Ewell had taken position at Dispatch Station 
on the 28th, Stuart determined to advance toward the 
White House. General Stoneman and General Emory 
had retired in that direction, and had occupied Tun- 
stall's Station on the evening of the 27th, stationing 
pickets on the roads towards Dispatch Station. Stuart 
advanced to Tunstall's Station. Here he found that a 
field-work commanding the approaches to the station 
had been constructed since his recent visit on the 13th, 
which gave proof by its presence that one of the re- 
sults desired in his late reconnoissance had been ac- 
complished, and that a considerable force of the enemy 
had been detached to guard his communications. Im- 
mediately beyond Tunstall's Station the enemy had de- 
stroyed the bridge over Black Creek, and there awaited 
Stuart's advance, with cavalry and artillery posted on 
the hills heyond. The fire of Stuart's guns dispersed 
the cavalry, and Captain Farley, having gained the 
opposite bank with a few dismounted men, drove off 
the sharpshooters who commanded the bridge. Cap- 
tain Blackford at once proceeded to rebuild, but it was 
after dark before a practicable crossing could be made. 

Meantime Stoneman had sent his infantry to the 
White House, where, with all the infantry of General 
Casey's command, it was received on board transports 
and gun-boats, and moved down the river. At dark 
the evacuation of the White House Landing was com- 
pleted. So far as their hasty departure permitted, the 
government property was destroyed by the Federal 



78 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

troops, and, last of all, the torch was applied to the 
home of Colonel W. H. F. Lee. It is but just to Gen- 
eral Casey to state that he says in his report that this 
last act was performed without his knowledge and 
against his express orders. 

Early the next morning, the 29th, Stuart moved 
cautiously toward the White House. He had reason to 
think that it was held by a considerable force of the 
enemy ; nothing, however, was in sight but a Federal 
gun-boat, the Marblehead, which occupied a threaten- 
ing position in the river. Imagination had clothed the 
gun-boat with marvellous terrors, and at this stage of 
the war there was nothing which inspired more of fear 
than the screech of its enormous shells. Stuart deter- 
mined to illustrate to his command its real character. 
Leaving his main body about two miles in the rear, he 
advanced with seventy-five men selected from the 1st 
and 4th Virginia Cavalry and the Jeff Davis Legion. 
These men were armed with rifle carbines. Deployed 
in pairs, with intervals of forty paces, they advanced 
across the open ground to attack the boat, from which 
a party of sharpshooters was promptly sent on shore to 
meet them. A lively skirmish ensued, during which 
Stuart brought up one of Pelham's howitzers and 
placed it in position to command the gun-boat.- Pel- 
ham's shells were soon exploding directly over her 
decks. To this fire she was unable to reply ; for while 
•her guns might throw shot far inland, they could not 
be brought to command that point of the bank where 
the howitzer was posted. The skirmishers were soon 
withdrawn to the boat, and under a full head of steam 
she disappeared down the river, followed as far as w r as 
practicable by the impudent and tormenting howitzer. 

Although the destruction of Federal property at the 
White House had been great, it was by no means com- 



AT THE WHITE HOUSE. 79 

plete, and sufficient remained to supply both men and 
horses of Stuart's command. Having sent Colonel Fitz 
Lee with the 1st Virginia Cavalry to observe the Chick- 
ahominy from Bottom's Bridge to Forge Bridge, Stuart 
remained at the White House for the rest of the clay. 
The information which he had been able to send to 
General Lee was of importance, for it was demonstrated 
that the enemy had abandoned his base on the Parnun- 
key, and was seeking a new one on the James. 

Late in the afternoon of the 29th Magrucler engaged 
the enemy at Savage Station. Jackson's route lay to 
the flank and rear of this position, but he was unable 
to participate in the battle, being delayed by the neces- 
sity of rebuilding Grapevine Bridge, which the enemy 
had destroyed on his retreat. He succeeded in cross- 
ing the Chickahominy during the night, and by noon 
on the 30th had advanced to White Oak Swamp. 

On the 29th a reconnoissance was made on the 
Charles City Road by £ve companies of the 1st North 
Carolina Cavalry and the 3d Virginia Cavalry, under 
the command of Colonel L. S. Baker, of the 1st North 
Carolina. The enemy's cavalry was discovered on the 
Quaker Road, and a charge, the 1st North Carolina 
leading, drove it back to Willis' Church. Here the 
head of the column was greeted by a fire of artillery 
and infantry, and Colonel Baker was forced to retire, 
having sustained a loss of sixty-three in killed, wounded, 
and missing. His charge had led him unwittingly into 
the presence of a large force of infantry. 

During the 30th Stuart moved his command to Long 
and Forge bridges, and at the latter place he biv- 
ouacked that night. At half past three the next morn- 
ing, July 1, he received orders to cross the Chickahom- 
iny at Grapevine Bridge, and connect with Jackson. 
He moved at once up the Chickahominy, but on reach- 



80 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

ing Bottom's Bridge, discovered that the army had 
passed on to the south, and that the only practicable 
way for him to connect with Jackson was to retrace 
his steps and cross at one of the lower fords. Turn- 
ing the head of his column about, he returned to Forge 
Bridge, where he found the 2d Virginia Cavalry, Colo- 
nel T. T. Munford, which at that time belonged to the 
Valley cavalry, and had accompanied Jackson's com- 
mand. Fording the river at this point Stuart pressed 
on past Nance's shop to Rock's house, near which he 
encountered a picket, which he pursued until within 
sight of the camp-fires of a large body of the enemy. 
Here he encamped for the night. 

While Stuart was thus occupied, Longstreet and A. 
P. Hill had fought the bloody battle of Frayser's Farm, 
or Glenclale, on the afternoon of the 30th. Could 
Jackson have participated in this battle the result 
must have been fatal to the Federal army. He had 
reached White Oak Swamp at midday, but found the 
bridge destroyed and the passage disputed by a large 
force of infantry and artillery. After sending Mun- 
ford's regiment of cavalry across, Jackson decided that 
the passage was impracticable. 1 The Rev. Dr. Dabney 

1 I have received from General T. T. Munford an interesting letter, 
under date of August 4, 1884, which describes the action of his regiment, 
the 2d Virginia Cavalry, on this day. I am permitted to make the follow- 
ing extract : — 

" My recollection is very distinct in regard to what happened on that 
day. On the evening before, 1 had heard of some forage and provisions 
which had been left by the enemy at a point about four miles on our left ; 
and as we had no quartermaster and no wagons, I started to carry my reg- 
iment over to this place to get food for man and beast. When I left him, 
General Jackson ordered me to be at the cross-roads at sunrise the next 
morning, ready to go in advance of his troops. The worst thunderstorm 
came up about night that I ever was in, and in that thickly-wooded coun- 
try it became so dark that one could not see his horse's ears. My command 
scattered in the storm, and I do not suppose any officer ever had a rougher 
time in any one night than I had to endure. When the first gray dawn 
appeared I started couriers, adjutant, and officers, to blow up the scattered 



JACKSON AT WHITE OAK SWAMP. 81 

seems to be of the opinion that this was, perhaps, the 
sole occasion on which the great " Stonewall " did not 

regiment ; but at sunrise I Lad not more than fifty men, and I was half 
a mile from the cross-roads. When I arrived, to my horror, there sat 
Jackson waiting for me. He was in a bad humor, and said : ' Colonel, 
my orders to you were to be here at sunrise.' I explained my situation, 
telling him that we had no provisions, and that the storm and the dark 
night had conspired against me. When I got through he replied : ' Yes, 
sir. But, colonel, I ordered you to be here at sunrise. Move on with 
your regiment. If you meet the enemy drive in his pickets, and if you 
want artillery, Colonel Crutchfield will furnish you.' 

"I started on with my little handful of men. As others came strangling 
on to join me Jackson noticed it, and sent two couriers to inform me that 
my ' men were straggling badly.' I rode back and went over the same 
story, hoping that he would be impressed with my difficulties. He listened 
to me, but replied as before, ' Yes, sir. But I ordered you to be here at 
sunrise, and I have been waiting for you for a quarter of an hour.' 

" Seeing that he was in a peculiar mood, I determined to make the best 
of mv troubles, sent my adjutant back, and made him halt the stragglers and 
form my men as they came up; and, with what I had, determined to give 
him no cause for complaint. When we came upon the enemy's picket we 
charged, and pushed the picket every step of the way into their camp, 
where were a large number of wounded and many stores. It was done so 
rapidly that the enemy's battery on the other side of White Oak Swamp 
could not fire on us without endangering their own friends. 

" When Jackson came up he was smiling, and he at once ordered Crutch- 
field to bring up sixteen pieces of artillery, and very soon one or two bat- 
teries were at work. 

" After the lapse of about an hour my regiment had assembled ; and while 
our batteries were shelling those of the enemy, Jackson sent for me and 
said, ' Colonel, move your regiment over the creek and secure those guns. 
I will ride with you to the swamp.' When we reached the crossing we 
found that the enemy had torn up the bridge, and had thrown the timbers 
into the stream, forming a tangled mass which seemed to prohibit a cross- 
ing. I said to General Jackson that I did not think we could cross. He 
looked at me, waved his hand, and replied, ' Yes, colonel, try it.' In we 
went, and you never saw such a time as the first squadron had ; but we 
floundered over, and before I had formed the men, Jackson cried out to me 
to move on at the guns. Colonel Breckinridge started out with what we 
had over, and I soon got over the second squadron, and moved up the hill. 
We reached the guns, but they had an infantry support which gave us a 
volley; at the same time a battery on our right, which we had not seen, 
opened on us, and back we had to come. I moved down the swamp 
about a quarter of a mile, and recrossed with great difficulty by a cow- 
path. I sent General Jackson a despatch telling him where I had crossed, 
but his engineers thought they could cross better above than below. A di- 
6 



82 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

accomplish all that lay within his power. 1 On the af- 
ternoon of the next day, July 1, Jackson, D. H. Hill, 
Huger, and Magruder fought the battle of Malvern Hill. 

Early on July 2, Stuart took position at Gate wood's 
on Jackson's left ; but as soon as it was known that the 
enemy had abandoned the position at Malvern Hill, 
Stuart started down the river to ascertain his location. 
'Lieutenant-Colonel W. T. Martin, of the Jeff Davis 
Les;ion, was sent in advance. To his command the 4th 
Virginia Cavalry had been temporarily added, because 
all of the field officers of that regiment were disabled. 
When opposite Haxall's, Colonel Martin and a few of 
his men proceeded to the river bank, where, in full 
sight of the Monitor and the Galena, which were lying 
in the river not one hundred yards distant, he captured 
a sailor belonging to the Monitor, drove off thirty mules 
from the open field, and, scouring the adjacent woods, 
retired in safety with one hundred and fifty prisoners. 
Privates Volney Metcalf and William Barnard are es- 
pecially mentioned by Colonel Martin for boldness in 
this affair. 

At the Cross Roads near Shirley, Stuart found the 
rear-guard of the enemy in such force that he was 
unable to move it. He spent the remainder of the day 
in collecting prisoners toward Malvern Hill, and in recon- 
noitring toward Charles City Court House. Having as- 
certained that the enemy had not moved in that direction, 
Captain Pelham was sent with one howitzer and Irving's 
squadron, of the 1st Virginia Cavalry, with orders to 
take position in the vicinity of Westover, and shell 

vision of infantry was put in above the bridge, and hammered away all day, 
but did not get over. I never understood why he did not try the ford 
where I had crossed. He sent me a little slip of paper saying, 'I con- 
gratulate you on getting out,' or words to that effect. He held on to the 
idea of crossing above the bridge." 
1 Dabney's Life of Jackson, p. 466. 



AT EVELINGTON HEIGHTS. 83 

the enemy should he attempt to move down the river 
road during the night. Pelham discovered the position 
of the Federal army at Westover, and informed Stuart 
of the advantages which might possibly be gained by 
occupying Evelington Heights, a plateau which com- 
manded the enemy's encampment. Pelham's report was 
received during the night, and Stuart at once moved his 
command, as it suggested, having forwarded the infor- 
mation to the commanding general, through General 
Jackson, and occupied the heights at about nine o'clock 
in the morning of the 3d. He had been informed that 
Longs treet and Jackson were moving to his support, and 
believing that Longstreet was close at hand, he opened 
with Pelham's howitzer on the Federal camps on the 
plain below. Artillery and infantry were moved to con- 
front him, but he maintained his ground until nearly 
two o'clock in the afternoon, when, having exhausted his 
ammunition, and having learned that Longstreet had 
advanced no further than Nance's Shop, he withdrew. 

Colonel Walter H. Taylor, in his valuable work, " Four 
Years with General Lee," says, on page 41 : — 

Without attempting an account of any one of the severe 
engagements embraced in the seven days' battles, so fully de- 
scribed in General Lee's official report, I cannot forbear men- 
tion of a maladroit performance just before their termination, 
but for which I have always thought that McClellan's army 
would have been further driven, even " to the wall," and made 
to surrender ; a trifling matter in itself, apparently, yet worthy 
of thoughtful consideration. General McClellan had retreated 
to Harrison's Landing ; his army, supply, and baggage trains 
were scattered in much confusion in and about Westover plan- 
tation ; our army was moving down upon him, its progress 
much retarded by natural and artificial obstacles ; General Stu- 
art was in advance, in command of the cavalry. In rear of 
and around Westover there is a range of hills, or elevated 
ground, completely commanding the plains below. Stuart, 



84 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

glorious Stuart ! always at the front and full of fight, gained 
these hills. Below him, as a panorama, appeared the camps 
and trains of the enemy, within easy range of his artillery. 
The temptation was too strong to be resisted; he commanded 
some of his guns to open fire. The consternation caused 
thereby was immediate and positive. It frightened the ene- 
my, but it enlightened him. 

Those heights in our possession, the enemy's position was 
altogether untenable, and he was at our mercy ; unless they 
could be recaptured, his capitulation was inevitable. Half a 
dozen shells from Stuart's battery quickly demonstrated this. 
The enemy, not slow in comprehending his danger, soon ad- 
vanced his infantry in force, to dislodge our cavalry and re- 
possess the heights. This was accomplished : the hills were 
fortified, and became the Federal line of defence, protected 
at either flank by a bold creek which entered into James River, 
and by heavy batteries of the fleet anchored opposite. Had 
the infantry been up, General Lee would have made sure of 
this naturally strong line, fortified it well, maintained it 
against assault, and dictated to General McClellan terms of 
surrender ; and had the attention of the enemy not been so 
precipitately directed to his clanger by the shots from the little 
howitzers, it is reasonable to presume that the infantry would 
have been up in time to secure the plateau. 

Colonel Taylor's criticism is based on the assump- 
tion that the Federal commander was ignorant of the 
necessity of occupying a position which commanded his 
camp until his attention was drawn to the fact by the 
fire of Stuart's guns. This seems improbable, both from 
the character of General McClellan and from the fact 
that at 5.30 P. M., on the 2d of July, he thus wrote to 
President Lincoln from Harrison's Landing : " If not 
attacked during this day I will have the men ready to 
repulse the enemy to-morrow." * But even if General 
McClellan had been so culpably ignorant, can we believe 
that there was not one among his able subordinates who 

1 Official Records, vol. xi. part iii. p. 288. 



AT EVELINGTON HEIGHTS. 85 

would have seen and suggested the necessity of secur- 
ing so obvious and vital a position ? 

Again, Colonel Taylor assumes that the Confederate 
infantry would have been in position to make an irre- 
sistible attack had it not been for Stuart's precipitate 
action. The facts of the case do not, however, justify 
this assumption ; for the movements of the Confeder- 
ates had been greatly retarded by the severe storm of 
July 2, and neither Jackson nor Longstreet, who ap- 
proached Harrison's Landing by different roads, were 
able to reach that vicinity until late in the afternoon of 
the 3d, and after Stuart had retired from the plateau, 
which he had occupied for five hours. The supposition 
that McClellan would have allowed the whole of the 3d 
to pass without guarding against assault from that po- 
sition cannot be entertained. 

Again, Colonel Taylor assumes that the position on 
Evelington Heights could have been fortified and main- 
tained by the Confederates against assault aided by the 
fire of the flotilla of gun-boats, which lay on the rivet 
within effective range, in front, and completely enfilad- 
ing the whole line from the mouth of Herring Creek. 
At least seven gun-boats guarded the flanks of the Fed- 
eral army on July 2, and on the 4th Flag Officer Golds- 
borough informs the Secretary of the Navy that seven- 
teen are at the scene of action. 1 Perhaps the picture 
which Colonel Taylor presents might have been real- 
ized, but, in the light of these facts, it by no means 
assumes the proportions of a certainty, hardly of a 
probability. 

1 Official Records, vol. xi. partiii. pp. 287, 295. 



CHAPTER IX. 

THE SECOND MANASSAS CAMPAIGN. 

On the 25th of July, 1862, Stuart received his com- 
mission as major-general. On the 28th of the same 
month the cavalry was organized into two brigades as 
follows : — 

First brigade, Brigadier - General Wade Hampton 
commanding; : — 

1st North Carolina Cavalry, Colonel L. S. Baker. 

Cobb Legion Cavalry, Lieutenant-Colonel P. M. B. 
Young. 

Jeff Davis Legion, Lieutenant-Colonel W. T. Martin. 

Hampton Legion Cavalry, Major M. C. Butler. 

10th Virginia Cavalry, Lieutenant-Colonel Z. S. Ma- 
gruder. 

Second brigade, Brigadier - General Fitzhugh Lee 
commanding : — 

1st Virginia Cavalry, Colonel L. Tiernan Brien. 

3d Virginia Cavalry, Colonel Thomas F. Goode. 

4th Virginia Cavalry, Colonel W. C. Wickham. 

5th Virginia Cavalry, Colonel T. L. Rosser. 

9th Virginia Cavalry, Colonel W. H. F. Lee. 

A month of inactivity succeeded the " Seven Days' 
Battles." The Federal army remained within its strong 
position at Harrison's Landing, and the Confederate 
army was withdrawn nearer to Richmond. Stuart's 
two brigades of cavalry were placed alternately on 
picket duty on the Charles City front, and in camp of 



THE BATTLE OF CEDAR MOUNTAIN. 87 

instruction at Hanover Court House. Meantime a Fed- 
eral army, fifty thousand strong, and commanded by 
General Pope, had been concentrated east of the Blue 
Ridge, between the two branches of the Rappahan- 
nock ; and on the 13th of July Jackson, with his own 
and Ewell's divisions, was sent to Gordonsville to ob- 
serve and oppose its movements. On the 27th of July 
Jackson was still further reinforced by A. P. Hill's 
division. General Pope's advance had now been pushed 
forward as far as the Rapidan River. On the 2d of 
August Colonel W. E. Jones with his regiment, the 7th 
Virginia Cavalry, was placed in command of Jackson's 
outposts, and had a spirited fight with the enemy's cav- 
alry at Orange Court House, in which, although at first 
successful, he was driven back by superior numbers. 
On the 7th Jackson advanced from Gordonsville, and 
on the 9th another victory crowned his arms at Cedar 
Run. The cavalry of the Army of the Valley, under 
the command of Brigadier-General B. H. Robertson, 
participated in this battle. On the morning of the 
10th General Stuart arrived on a tour of inspection 
which he had been ordered to make of all the cav- 
alry under General Lee's command ; and by request 
of General Jackson took command of a reconnoissance 
to ascertain the position and strength of the enemy. 
The information obtained by Stuart determined Gen- 
eral Jackson not to attempt to follow up his victory, 
but to await the attack of the enemy, should he* be 
disposed to make it. 

Stuart had just returned from an expedition of some 
importance, which had occupied him from the 4th to 
the 8th of August. 

The occupation of Fredericksburg by the enemy was 
a standing menace to the Central Railroad. A body 
of Federal cavalry had already penetrated to Beaver 



88 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

Dam Station, where they captured Captain J. S. Mosby, 
who was awaiting the arrival of the train. Some dam- 
age was inflicted upon the railroad. It was important 
to counteract such raids, if possible, and on the 4th of 
August Stuart started from Hanover Court House with 
Fitz Lee's brigade and a battery of horse artillery, 
marched to Bowling Green, thence to Port Royal, and 
passing by Morse's Neck, encamped at Grace Church on 
the night of the 5th. On the next morning he learned 
that two brigades of infantry, under Generals Gibbon 
and Hatch, with some cavalry, had encamped the pre- 
vious night at Massaponax Creek, and were then march- 
ing down the Telegraph Road toward the railroad. 
This was evidently another and more determined at- 
tempt to break the communications of General Lee's 
army. Stuart struck the Telegraph Road at Massapo- 
nax Church, between which place and the crossing of 
the Po River he captured a number of wagons and strag- 
gling infantry. At the Po River he attacked the rear- 
guard of the enemy, and drove it in upon the main 
body, whose advance was arrested to meet this unex- 
pected assault from the rear. As the enemy moved 
back against him, Stuart retired, contesting the ground 
with artillery until he reached the hills north of the 
Ny River. Here he turned off toward Bowling Green, 
and the enemy attempted no pursuit. Stuart captured 
eighty-five prisoners, eleven wagons and teams, and 
fifteen cavalry horses. He lost two men mortally 
wounded. He mentions Colonel S. D. Lee, temporarily 
in command of the 4th Virginia Cavalry, Lieutenant- 
Colonel J. T. Thornton, Captain Berkeley, and Lieuten- 
ant George D. White, of the 3d Virginia Cavalry, as 
distinguished by conspicuous gallantry. 

This expedition was, however, only partially success- 
ful. Stuart drew back the main body of the enemy 



EXPEDITION TO MASSAPONAX CHURCH. 89 

and prevented their reaching the railroad ; but although 
his scouts reported the presence of a body of Federal 
infantry at Spottsylvania Court House on the 6th, 
he did "not know, and could not learn, that it was 
the rear-guard of another column which had pressed 
on toward the railroad that same morning ; for Colonel 
Cutler, of the 6th Wisconsin Infantry, with his- own 
regiment, eight companies of the 2d New York Cav- 
alry, and a section of artillery, had left Spottsylvania 
Court House late on the previous evening, and, reach- 
ing Freclerickshall Station on the afternoon of the 
6th, had torn up about two miles of the railroad and 
destroyed some other property ; after which, by a 
forced march, he recrossed the South Anna River the 
same night. 

On the 16th of August the evacuation of Harrison's 
Landing, which had been commenced on the 11th, was 
completed, and McClellan's army was on its way to re- 
inforce Pope. On the 13th of August Longstreet was 
ordered to Gordonsville to join Jackson, and Anderson's 
division soon followed to the same point, Hampton's 
cavalry being left to watch the Charles City and Fred- 
ericksburg front. 

On the 16th of August Stuart went by the cars to 
Orange Court House for consultation with General R. 
E. Lee. He had given instructions to Fitz Lee's bri- 
gade to move toward the Rapidan, where he proposed 
to meet it on the evening of the next clay. Stuart ex- 
pected Fitz Lee to march on the 17th from Beaver Dam 
to the vicinity of Raccoon Ford, a distance of about 
twenty-seven miles. From some cause explicit direc- 
tions had not been conveyed to Fitz Lee, and he was 
ignorant of Stuart's expectations. This misunderstand- 
ing nearly resulted in the capture of Stuart and his 
staff; Fitz Lee's command was out of rations. He 



90 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

therefore marched on the 17th to the depot at Louisa 
Court House, and having filled the haversacks of his 
men, resumed his march the next day, leaving his 
wagons to follow. Meantime Stuart reached Verdiers- 
ville on the evening of the 17th, and hearing nothing 
from Fitz Lee, sent his adjutant, Major Norman R. 
Fitz Hugh, to meet him and ascertain his position. A 
body of the enemy's cavalry had, however, started on 
a reconnoissance on the previous day, and in the dark- 
ness of the night Major Fitz Hugh rode into this party 
and was captured. On his person was found an auto- 
graph letter from the commanding general to Stuart, 
which disclosed to General Pope the design of turn- 
ing: his left flank. The fact that Fitz Huffh did not 
return aroused no apprehensions, and Stuart and his 
staff imprudently passed the night on the porch of an 
old house on the Plank Road. At daybreak he was 
aroused by the noise of approaching horsemen, and, 
sending Mosby and Gibson, two of his aids, to ascertain 
who was coming, he himself walked out to the front 
gate, bareheaded, to greet Fitz Lee, as he supposed. 
The result did not justify his expectations. In another 
instant "pistol shots were heard, and Mosby and Gibson 
were seen running back, pursued by a party of the 
enemy. Stuart, Von Borcke, and Dabney had their 
horses inside of the enclosure of the yard. Von Borcke 
gained the gate and the road, and escaped unhurt after 
a long and hard run. Stuart and Dabney were com- 
pelled to leap the yard fence and take across the fields 
to the nearest woods. They were pursued but a short 
distance. Returning to a post of observation, Stuart 
saw the enemy depart in triumph with his hat and 
cloak, which he had been compelled to leave on the 
porch where he had slept. He bore this mortification 
with good nature. In a letter of about that date he 



NARROW ESCAPE AT VERD1ERSVILLE. 91 

writes : " I am greeted on all sides with congratula- 
tions and ' Where 's your hat ? ' I intend to make the 
Yankees pay for that hat." And Pope did cancel the 
debt a few nights afterward at Catlett's Station. 

In his report of this circumstance Stuart is unjustly 
severe on Fitz Lee. Had the latter understood that he 
1 was expected at Raccoon Ford on the evening of the 
17th he would have been there, full or hungry. But 
his orders indicated nothing of the exigencies of the 
case, and he deemed himself fully at liberty to provide 
his men with the necessary rations. He was made 
aware of Stuart's strictures ; but manfully preferred to 
rest under an injustice rather than engage in contro- 
versy with his commander. He was always more fond 
of fighting than of writing, and to this day has never 
appeared publicly to justify himself. 

Stuart's division had now been augmented by the 
addition of Robertson's brigade, which then consisted 
of the 2d Virginia Cavalry, Colonel T. T. Munford ; 
the 6th Virginia Cavalry, Colonel P. S. Flournoy ; the 
7th Virginia Cavalry, Colonel W. E. Jones ; the 12th 
Virginia Cavalry, Colonel A. W. Harman ; and the 17th 
battalion Virginia Cavalry, Major 0. R. Funsten. 1 

It was the intention of the commanding general 
that the cavalry should cross the Rapidan on the 18th, 
and endeavor to gain the enemy's rear on the railroad, 
and destroy the bridge over the Rappahannock ; while 
Jackson advanced by Orange Court House and Long- 
street by Raccoon Ford. This movement was delayed 

1 Ashby's original command consisted of twenty-six companies without 
regimental organization. After bis death the 7th and 12th regiments and 
the 17th battalion were organized from tbese companies ; other companies 
were soon added to the 17th battalion, which became the 11th regiment 
Virginia Cavalry, under Colonels L. L. Lomax and O. R. Funsten. For 
these facts I am indebted to Captain W. K. Martin, A. A. G. under Gen- 
eral W. E. Jones. 



92 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

until the 20th, and in the mean time Pope had with- 
drawn his army across that river. 

Having previously detached Munford's regiment to 
guard the upper fords of the Rapidan, and to operate 
on Jackson's left, Stuart crossed the Rapidan early on 
the 20th, with Fitz Lee's brigade and the remainder of 
Robertson's. Fitz Lee proceeded by Willis Madden's to 
Kelly's Ford, where he drove the enemy's cavalry across 
the river, capturing a flag and some prisoners. Stuart 
himself with Robertson's regiments turned northward 
at Stevensburg and moved on Brandy Station. The 
7th Virginia Cavalry held the advance, and soon en- 
countered the 2d New York Cavalry (the Harris 
Light), under Lieutenant-Colonel J. Kilpatrick, which 
it pressed back upon its support at Brandy Station, 
while Robertson, with his remaining regiments, was 
sent to make a detour by Barbour's house, with a view 
of attacking its right and rear. The Federal cavalry 
at this point was commanded by General George D. 
Bayard, and consisted of five regiments, the 1st New 
Jersey, the 2d New York, the 1st Pennsylvania, the 
1st Maine, and the 1st Rhode Island. Two of these 
regiments, the 1st Maine and the 1st Rhode Island, 
had retired toward the river, but three remained to 
confront Colonel Jones and the 7th Virginia as they 
emerged from the woods in the vicinity of the station. 
General Robertson had been misled, and had made a 
wider detour than was expected ; he was therefore 
unable to render immediate assistance to the 7th, which 
charged and routed the New York and New Jersey 
regiments. The arrival of Robertson with his other 
regiments completed the victory, and the Federal cav- 
alry was pushed, almost without a pause, to the protec- 
tion of their guns on the opposite bank of the Rappa- 
hannock. Stuart reports the capture of sixty-four 



ENGAGEMENTS NEAR BRANDY STATION. 93 

prisoners, many of them wounded. His own loss was 
three killed and thirteen wounded. This was the first 
time that these Valley regiments had served under Stu- 
art's eye, and he highly compliments them and their 
commander. 

The advance of Jackson's corps reached Brandy 
Station on the evening of the 20th, and Stuart was re- 
inforced by the 1st and 5th regiments from Fitz Lee's 
brigade ; but as the enemy held the opposite bank of 
the Rappahannock in force, nothing further could be 
accomplished by the cavalry. At daybreak on the 21st 
Colonel Rosser, with the 5th Virginia Cavalry, was sent 
to secure the crossing at Beverly's Ford. His dash at 
the ford was so sudden that the infantry picket left 
their muskets standing in stacks, and fled to the adja- 
cent woods. Stuart soon arrived with two pieces of ar- 
tillery furnished to him by General Jackson, and for 
several hours maintained his position, expecting that 
the army would follow. Robertson had crossed at an 
upper ford, and had there also prepared the way for an 
advance. This was not, however, the intention of the 
commanding general, and the cavalry was withdrawn 
to the south side of the river. On the afternoon of 
this day Fitz Lee joined Stuart with the 4th and 9th 
regiments, the 3d having been left in observation on 
Longstreet's right at Kelly's Ford. On the 22cl and 23d 
Jackson moved northward to the Warrenton Springs 
Ford, and crossed the river with a considerable portion 
of his command. A violent rain, however, rendered the 
river impassable, and threatened to divide his corps : 
he therefore, on the night of the 23d, by means of a 
temporary bridge, withdrew that portion of his troops 
which had crossed, before the arrival of the Federal 
forces, which quickly concentrated at that point with 
the expectation of crushing him. 



94 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

■'' General Stuart had proposed to General R. E. Lee to 
allow him to take his cavalry to the rear of Pope's 
army, and endeavor to interrupt his communications 
by the railroad. General Lee gave his consent ; and 
on the morning of the 22d Stuart crossed the Rappa- 
hannock at Waterloo Bridge and Hart's Ford with all 
of his command except the 7th and 3d Virginia Cavalry. 
Two pieces of artillery accompanied the expedition. 
Marching by way of Warrenton, Stuart reached Au- 
burn, in the immediate vicinity of Catlett's Station, 
after dark ; and, having captured the enemy's pickets, 
was soon in the midst of their encampments. But now 
that he had reached the desired point it seemed impos- 
sible to accomplish anything ; for the rain fell in tor- 
rents, and the night was so dark that it was impossible 
to tell where an attack should be directed, or to distin- 
guish friend from foe. Fortunately a captured negro, 
who had known Stuart in Berkeley County, recognized 
him, and offered to lead him to the place where the 
wagons belonging to General Pope's headquarters were 
parked. Under the guidance of this man, the 9th Vir- 
ginia Cavalry attacked the camp and captured a num- 
ber of officers belonging to General Pope's staff, together 
with a large sum of money, the despatch - book and 
other papers of General Pope's office, his personal bag- 
gage and horses, and other property. While this attack 
was being made, the 1st and 5th Virginia Cavalry 
moved against another part of the camp, and Captain 
W. W. Blackford, of the engineers, attempted the de- 
struction of the railroad bridge over Cedar Run. It 
was found impossible to set fire to the bridge on ac- 
count of the rain which was falling, and the heavy 
timbers defied the attack of the few axes which could 
be found in the darkness. The enemy also opened fire 
from a cliff on the opposite side. After exhausting all 



THE CAT LETTS STATION RAID. 95 

the means at his disposal, Stuart was compelled to ac- 
knowledge that the destruction of the bridge was be- 
yond his power ; and as the immediate return of his 
cavalry was imperative, he withdrew before daylight, 
and returned to Warrenton Springs on the 23d, bring- 
ing with him more than three hundred prisoners. For 
many days thereafter General Pope's uniform was on 
exhibition in the window of one of the stores on Main 
Street, in Richmond, and Stuart felt that he had been 
fully repaid for the loss of his own hat and cloak at 
Verdiersville. 

The swollen condition of the river now enabled Gen- 
eral Pope to concentrate his army between Warrenton 
Springs and Waterloo ; but while Longstreet and A. 
P. Hill occupied his attention on that front, Jackson 
crossed the Rappahannock four miles above at Hinson's 
Mill, on the 25th, and by a forced march reached 
Salem on the night of the same day. On the 26th he 
passed the Bull Run Mountain at Thoroughfare Gap, 
and inarching by way of Gainesville reached the rail- 
road at Bristoe Station on the same evening. At 
Gainesville he was joined by Stuart with Robertson's 
and Fitz Lee's brigades, except the 3d Virginia Cav- 
alry, which had been left at Brandy Station as rear- 
guard to the army, to watch the fords of the Rappa- 
hannock, and to forward stragglers and convalescents. 
The 2d Virginia Cavalry was assigned to special duty 
as the advance - guard of Jackson's corps. Colonel 
Munford had seen much service in the Valley .under 
Jackson, and had performed this same duty for him 
during the battles around Richmond. 

As he approached Bristoe Station Jackson sent Colo- 
nel Munford forward to surprise and capture the place. 
In this Munford succeeded. He approached within one 
hundred yards before the enemy was aware of his 



96 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

presence, dispersed a cavalry company which consti- 
tuted a part of the guard, and captured forty- three 
infantry, killing two and wounding seven. While thus 
engaged a train of cars approached, and succeeded in 
making its escape before Munford could sufficiently 
obstruct the track. The arrival of the Louisiana bri- 
gade soon after placed an efficient force on the railroad, 
and two large trains were captured. 

But the main depot of the Federal army was at 
Manassas Junction, still seven miles distant. Here im- 
mense supplies of clothing and provisions were stored, 
and it was important that no time should be lost, lest 
the enemy, alarmed by the reports of the fugitive cav- 
alry which Munford had driven from Bristoe, or by 
notice given by the train which had escaped capture, 
should apply the torch and destroy that of which Jack- 
son's half-famished men stood so much in need. Al- 
though the night was exceedingly dark, and the troops 
had marched more than twenty-five miles since day- 
break, Brigadier-General I. R. Trimble volunteered to 
undertake the capture of the Junction with two of his 
regiments, the 21st North Carolina and the 21st Geor- 
gia, numbering in all about five hundred men. General 
Jackson says in his report : — 

In order to increase the prospect of success, Major-General 
Stuart, with a portion of his cavalry, was subsequently di- 
rected to move forward, and, as ranking officer, to take com- 
mand of the expedition. 

The sequel shows that General Jackson failed to 
notify General Trimble that Stuart had been placed in 
command, and from this circumstance there arose a 
controversy which demands some notice, because it has 
been made the occasion of unjust criticisms. 1 

1 See The Army of Virginia from Cedar Mountain to Alexandria, by Ma- 
jor-General George H. Gordon, p. 138 et seq. 



MOVEMENT ON HARPER'S FERRY. HI 

place and establish pickets beyond. As the Federal 
cavalry entered the town Munford approached it from 
the north with the 7th and 12th regiments and two 
guns. He had hardly taken position outside of the 
town when he was charged by the enemy. The 7th 
regiment under Captain Myers met and repulsed that 
charge w r hich was directed against Munford's advance 
gun ; but despite the example of gallantry set by Colo- 
nel Harman, a part of the 12th regiment behaved 
badly, and the other gun was with difficulty extricated 
from an exposed position. Munford retired on the road 
toward Barnesville, near which place the advance of 
the enemy was checked by the sharpshooters of the 21 
regiment. His total loss in this affair was ten men, 
eight of whom were from the 12th regiment. On the 
following day, the 9th of September, the 12th regiment 
was again somewhat roughly handled, in an affair near 
Monocacy Church, in which General Pleasonton claims 
to have captured the regimental flag. On the 10th, 
Pleasonton attempted to dislodge Munford from his 
position guarding Sugar Loaf Mountain, but although 
now reinforced by the 6th U. S. Cavalry he found the 
position too strong to be assailed. On this day Mun- 
ford's force was still further weakened by the detach- 
ment of the 7th Virginia Cavalry, which was sent to 
aid Jackson's movement on Harper's Ferry. On the 
11th, Franklin's corps advanced upon Munford, causing 
him to uncover Sugar Loaf Mountain and retire to a 
point about three miles from Frederick, on the Buck- 
eystown road. 

Until the 10th of September General Lee's army had 
been concentrated in the vicinity of Frederick. He 
had anticipated that his advance into Maryland would 
lead to the evacuation of Harper's Ferry ; but as this 
result did not follow, it became necessary to dislodge 



112 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

the large Federal army which occupied that place and 
Martinsburg, before his own could with safety be con- 
centrated west of the mountains. On the morning of 
the 10th of September Jackson's corps left the vicinity 
of Frederick to accomplish this object. Marching by 
way of Boonsboro' Jackson recrossed the Potomac at 
Williamsport, and occupied the Baltimore and Ohio 
Railroad northwest of Martinsburg on the evening of 
the next day. The Federal garrison at Martinsburg 
was made aware of his approach, and evacuating the 
town on the night of the 11th, retreated to Harper's 
Ferry, thus postponing their surrender for a short time. 
On the 12th Jackson passed through Martinsburg, and 
by noon on the 13th had placed his corps in front of 
the position occupied by the enemy on Bolivar Heights. 
In the mean time McLaws' division, reinforced by six 
brigades under Major-General Anderson, had been sent 
to drive the enemy from Maryland Heights, north of 
the Potomac ; while Walker's division recrossed the 
river to the Virginia side, and. was ordered to gain pos- 
session of Loudon Heights east of the Shenandoah. 
General Lee's order for these movements anticipated 
that McLaws and Walker would be in position to co- 
operate with Jackson on Friday the 12 th, and that 
Jackson himself would complete the investment of Har- 
per's Ferry west of the Shenandoah on the morning of 
the 13th. The advance division of Jackson's corps was 
in position before Bolivar Heights at the time speci- 
fied ; but McLaws had encountered many obstacles and 
strong resistance, and was only able to gain possession 
of Maryland Heights on the afternoon of the 13th ; 
while Walker's division, which had been engaged in 
incessant duty for two days and nights, reached the 
summit of Loudon Heights at about the same time. 
The investment of Harper's Ferry was now complete ; 



THE CAPTURE OF MANASSAS JUNCTION. 97 

In examining the reports of General Stuart and Gen- 
eral Trimble we notice, first of all, that the controversy 
is begun by General Trimble, and, apparently, without 
cause. In his report, dated February 28, lb63, General 
Stuart thus refers to the capture of Manassas Junc- 
tion : — 

As soon as practicable I reported to General Jackson, who 
desired me to proceed to Manassas, and ordered General Trim- 
ble to follow with his brigade, notifying me to take charge of 
the whole. The 4th Virginia Cavalry (Colonel Wickham) 
was sent around to gain the rear of Manassas, and with a por- 
tion of Robertson's brigade not on outpost duty I proceeded by 
the direct road to Manassas. I marched until challenged by 
the enemy's interior sentinels, and received a fire of canister. 
As the infantry were near, coming on, I awaited their arrival, 
as it was too dark to venture cavalry over uncertain ground 
against artillery. I directed General Trimble, upon his ar- 
rival, to rest his centre directly on the railroad and advance 
upon the place, with skirmishers well to the front. He soon 
sent me word that it was so dark he preferred waiting until 
morning, which I accordingly directed he should do. As soon 
as day broke the place was taken without much difficulty, and 
with it many prisoners and millions of stores of every kind, 
which his [Trimble's] report will doubtless show. 

There is certainly nothing in this extract to excite 
the jealousy of General Trimble. Stuart states that, 
under the circumstances, his cavalry was inadequate 
to the capture of the place, and he therefore awaited 
the arrival of the infantry. He does not even claim 
that his cavalry participated in the attack, and only as- 
serts that, as commanding officer, charged with the con- 
duct of the undertaking, he gave general instructions 
to General Trimble, which he (Trimble) carried into 
successful execution. He even assumes that Trimble 
took charge of the prisoners and captured stores, as a 
duty and honor to which he was justly entitled, and that 



98 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

he had made report of the same to his division or corps 
commander. Stuart makes no parade of his own ser- 
vices, nor does he in the slightest degree depreciate the 
services of General Trimble. The latter, however, in 
his report, which bears date of January 6, 1863, uses 
the following language : — 

In this successful issue of the night's work I had no assist- 
ance from artillery or from any part of General Stuart's cav- 
alry, a regiment of which arrived some hours after the attack 
was made, and commenced an indiscriminate plunder of horses. 
General Stuart himself did not arrive until seven or eight 
o'clock in the morning. 

Let it be borne in mind that these words were penned 
before General Trimble had seen General Stuart's re- 
port, and it is apparent that General Trimble not only 
lays claim to the sole honor of this undertaking — an 
honor which had not been denied him — but that he 
unnecessarily makes an occasion to cast injurious reflec- 
tions upon the cavalry and its leader. It is an uglier 
exhibition of the same spirit which causes him to com- 
plain, in a subsequent sentence of his report, because 
the hungry soldiers of Hill's division paid no respect 
to the guards which he had placed over the captured 
stores, but regaled themselves to satiety on the rare 
dainties provided by the Federal sutlers. 

It appears from the Official Record that on the 9th of 
April, 1863, General Trimble's attention was called to 
the discrepancies between his report and that of General 
Stuart, by a note from General Jackson's headquarters, 
•and that he was at the same time furnished with a copy 
of General Stuart's remarks. In his reply to this note 
General Trimble maintains his self-imposed position of 
antagonism to General Stuart in a still more offensive 
manner, and again asserts that General Stuart was not 
upon the field, that he received no orders from him, 



CONTROVERSY WITH GENERAL TRIMBLE. 99 

that he sent to Stuart no message in regard to waiting 
until the morning, and that the attack was made at 
about half past twelve o'clock at night. This reply was 
referred to General Stuart. A few extracts from the 
addition which he made to his report, on the 25th of 
April, will show the spirit in which Stuart received 
these strictures. 

Human memory is frail, I know ; and while in what I have 
said or may say on this subject my recollection is as vivid as 
upon any other contemporaneous event about which there is 
no difference, I lay no claim to infallibility, and I am very far 
from imputing to the veteran General Trimble any improper 
intention or motive in what he has said. . . . The idea which, 
strange to say, never entered General Trimble's head, never 
for one moment left mine, that he was under my command on 
that occasion, it is hard to account for ; and yet I remember 
that lie sent me no message upon the capture of Manassas, but 
sent it direct to General Jackson ; and besides, he failed to sub- 
mit to me his official report, which he should have done. I 
attributed these omissions to a certain jealousy of authority, 
which officers older in years are apt to feel toward a young 
superior in rank, and never suspected that the question of my 
being in command was involved in any kind of doubt in his 
mind. I received instructions from General Jackson, and was 
told by him that Trimble's brigade would be sent to me. I 
pushed on with the cavalry to surprise the place, but the train 
which ran the gauntlet at Bristoe put the garrison on the alert. 
I awaited Trimble's arrival to make the attack, as well as to 
give Wickham more time with his regiment to seize the ave- 
nues in rear of Manassas, which he did in a very creditable 
manner, as shown in his report. 

Now, as to the interview when General Trimble came up, 
he says : " It was arranged between General Stuart and my- 
self that I should form line," etc. How arranged ? I was a 
major-general, he a brigadier ; I was assigned specially to this 
duty, and was notified that General Trimble would report to 
me. It is true that I am not in the habit of giving orders, par- 



100 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. R. STUART. 

ticularly to my seniors in years, in a dictatorial manner, and my 
manner very likely on this occasion was more suggestive than 
imperious ; indeed, I may have been content to satisfy myself 
that the dispositions which he himself proposed accorded with 
my own ideas, without any blustering show of orders to do 
this or do that. My recollection is clear that I indicated that 
the centre should rest on the railroad. The cavalry under 
Wickham had already been sent, long before Trimble's arrival, 
to seize the avenues of escape and await events. Wickham, 
Eliason, and myself have corresponding impressions, without 
conference, as to the events of the night. Wickham says he 
carried out his instructions to the letter, and reported to Gen- 
eral Trimble as soon as the place was taken. He says the 
first fire occurred about twelve o'clock, and that it was about 
two A. M. before any further firing was heard, and then the place 
was taken. General Trimble says the place was taken at 12.30 
A. M. Eliason thinks it was even later than two o'clock : so do 
I. All accounts agree — General Trimble's too — that the 
place was taken without difficulty. General Trimble remarks 
that he admits that it was taken without difficulty so far as 
my executions contributed to its capture. I certainly could 
not have participated more than I did, without officiously inter- 
posing to assist Brigadier-General Trimble to command two 
regiments of his brigade in an enterprise attended with so little 
difficulty. I commanded in the capture of Manassas quite as 
much as either General Jackson or General Lee would have 
done, had either been present. . . . 

General Trimble says I did not reach the place until seven 
or eight o'clock. I was in plain view all the time, and rode 
through, around, and all about the place soon after its cap- 
ture. . . . 

When matters follow each other so closely, it is difficult in a 
report written some time after to fix the order of time, but 
General Trimble does the cavalry injustice in his report. 
There seems to be a growing tendency to abuse and under- 
rate the services of that arm of service by a few officers of 
infantry, among whom I regret to find General Trimble. 
Troops should be taught to take pride in other branches of 
service than their own. Officers, particularly general officers, 



CONTROVERSY WITH GENERAL TRIMBLE. 101 

should be the last, by word or example, to inculcate in the 
troops of their commands a spirit of jealousy and unjust de- 
traction towards other arms of service, where all are mutually 
dependent and mutually interested, with functions differing in 
character, but not in importance. 

These extracts sufficiently refute the insinuations 
made against Stuart. It may, however, be well to con- 
sider what were the probabilities in regard to the time 
at which the attack was made. In his official report 
General Trimble states that he received General Jack- 
son's order at about nine o'clock in the night. General 
Jackson states in his report that the distance to Manas- 
sas Junction was about seven miles, and that General 
Trimble's regiments would have marched more than 
thirty miles since dawn before reaching the Junction. 1 
It is not an easy matter to arouse soldiers who are 
weary and footsore from a long day's march, and if 
General Trimble started within an hour after receiv- 
ing the order, he did well. Moreover, three miles per 
hour is rapid marching for troops in the daytime, 
and over unobstructed roads. Jackson had not accom- 
plished as much on this day, and all regard his move- 
ment as one of unusual celerity. Tired soldiers could 
not accomplish two miles an hour in the darkness of 
the night, and over an unknown road, and it speaks 
volumes for the esprit du corps of Trimble's regiments 
that they acccomplished this undertaking with such 
spirit and success as they did. When we take into 
consideration the time necessarily consumed in the 
march, in changing from march by the flank to line, in 
throwing out a line of skirmishers, in arranging pass- 
words so that friends might be distinguished from foes, 

1 The actual distance between the two stations is four and three quarters 
miles, but it may have been that Trimble's brigade was some distance from 
Bristoe Station at the time the order was given. Both General Jackson 
and General R. E. Lee state the distance at seven miles. 



102 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

and in regulating the advance of the two regiments, 
which were separated by the railroad embankment (and 
General Trimble states that he did all this), it must 
be acknowledged that two hours and a half were not 
sufficient for its accomplishment ; and that, although 
General Trimble's watch may have marked 12.30 A. m. 
at the time of the attack, it was probably much nearer 
the hour as stated by Stuart, namely, two o'clock. 

It may be asked why Stuart did not communicate 
with General Trimble at an earlier hour. The answer 
is furnished by the circumstances themselves. Stuart 
says, " I reported to General Jackson, who desired me 
to proceed to Manassas, and ordered General Trimble 
to follow with his brigade." Again, in the addendum 
to his report, he says : " I was assigned specially to 
this duty, and was notified that General Trimble would 
report to me." And again : " I received instructions 
from General Jackson, and was told by him that Trim- 
ble's brigade would be sent to me." It is therefore 
plain either that Stuart and Trimble pursued different 
routes, or else that although Trimble received his or- 
ders first, Stuart was first upon the road, and pushed on 
in advance, thinking that he might effect a surprise ; 
failing in this, he awaited Trimble's arrival, taking it 
for granted that Jackson had ordered Trimble to report 
to him. Jackson failed to do this, and the opportunity 
was seized by General Trimble to make the remarks 
contained in his report. 

The capture of Manassas Junction placed immense 
stores of food and clothing; in Jackson's hands. Eight 
guns, fully equipped, and three hundred prisoners, were 
captured. Leaving Ewell's division at Bristoe, Jack- 
son moved the rest of his corps to the Junction, upon 
which a gallant attack was made by General G. W. 
Taylor's New Jersey brigade, wdiich had been sent 



SECOND MANASSAS. 103 

on that morning by railroad from Alexandria to hold 
the bridge over Bull Run. General Taylor pressed 
the attack with great vigor, but was soon compelled 
to retire, himself being mortally wounded and carried 
from the field. His brigade moved back the same 
evening to Fairfax Court House, where it encountered 
Fitz Lee, who, with three regiments, had been sent to 
harass the rear. Stuart mentions the fact that during 
the attack made by Taylor's brigade, Mr. Louis F. Ter- 
rill, volunteer aid to General Robertson, performed val- 
uable service, extemporizing lanyards, and working the 
captured guns with detachments of infantry as can- 
noneers. 

On the afternoon of the same day heavy columns of 
the Federal army attacked General Ewell at Bristoe 
Station, and after repulsing several attempts to carry 
his position, Ewell withdrew while yet under fire toward 
Manassas Junction. During this movement his rear 
was covered by the 2d and 5th Virginia Cavalry, un- 
der Colonels Munford and Rosser. After supplying his 
troops with all that they needed from the captured 
stores at the Junction, and having destroyed what he 
could not remove, Jackson evacuated the place on the 
night of the 27th, and on the following day concen- 
trated his three divisions at Groveton, north of the 
Warrenton and Alexandria turnpike. During this 
movement his rear and flanks were covered by Stuart's 
cavalry, and he received correct information concern- 
ing the Federal forces, which were now rapidly concen- 
trating upon him with the hope that he might be 
crushed by superior numbers before Longstreet could 
bring him aid. At sunset on the 28th Jackson attacked 
the enemy with two of his divisions, and after a fierce 
battle, which lasted until nine o'clock, remained master 
of the field. Two of his division commanders, General 



104 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

Ewell and General Taliaferro, were wounded in this 
engagement. On the morning of the 29th Jackson 
awaited the enemy's assault, which commenced about 
ten o'clock and continued until nine o'clock p. m., and 
although the fighting was of the most desperate char- 
acter, maintained his lines intact. During the day 
Longstreet arrived and took position on his right. 

Having followed the same line of march pursued by 
Jackson on his advance, Longstreet reached Thorough- 
fare Gap at three o'clock on the 28th, and finding a 
considerable body of the enemy in possession, was un- 
able to force a passage until late in the evening. Early 
the next morning he resumed his march, and reached 
Groveton in time to participate in the battle of that 
day. 

On the 28th General Stuart learned from despatches 
which he had captured that the enemy's cavalry was 
ordered to concentrate at Haymarket, under the com- 
mand of General Bayard. With Jackson's consent, 
Stuart proceeded thither with a small part of his now 
widely scattered command, and engaged the enemy in 
the afternoon in a brisk skirmish, but without decided 
result. From his position the fight in which Long- 
street was engaged at Thoroughfare Gap was plainly 
visible, but being unable to effect a successful diver- 
sion, Stuart withdrew to cover the right of Jackson's 
battle, having first sent a trusty messenger to commu- 
nicate with Longstreet. On this same day the horse 
artillery took important part in the battle. General 
Jackson says in his report : — 

Owing to the difficulty of getting artillery through the 
woods, I did not have as much of that arm as I desired at the 
opening of the engagement ; but this want was met by Major 
Pelham, with the Stuart Horse Artillery, who dashed forward 
on my right and opened upon the enemy at a moment when 
his services were much needed. 



DEATH OF MAJOR PATRICK. 105 

On the morning of the 29th General Stuart again 
set out to open communication with Long-street. He 
had proceeded but a short distance on the Sudley road 
when he encountered a force of the enemy which had 
penetrated to the rear of Jackson's line, and endan- 
gered his trains. Jackson at once sent infantry to ^neet 
this attack, but before its arrival the enemy was re- 
pulsed by the fire of Pelham's guns. Major William 
Patrick, commanding the 17th battalion of Virginia 
Cavalry, was left in charge of this position, and at a 
later hour in the day was attacked by a stronger force. 
He repulsed the enemy, but fell mortally wounded at 
the head of his men. General Jackson says : — 

At a later period Major Patrick, of the cavalry, who was 
by General Stuart intrusted with guarding the train, was at- 
tacked, and though it was promptly and effectually repulsed, 
it was not without the loss of that intrepid officer, who fell in 
the attack while setting an example of gallantry to his men 
well worthy of imitation. 

General Stuart says of Major Patrick : — 

He lived long enough to witness the triumph of our arms, 
and expired thus in the arms of victory. The sacrifice was 
noble, but the loss to us irreparable. 

After effecting a junction with Longstreet's command 
Stuart placed his available cavalry on his right toward 
Bristoe Station, where Rosser, with the 5th Virginia 
Cavalry, was already operating. Fitz Lee, with the 
rest of his brigade, remained on Jackson's left, and both 
flanks of the army were thus guarded during the re- 
mainder of the 29th. 

On the 30th Stuart obtained an important post of 
observation on the right, from which the movements 
of the enemy, as he concentrated a force against Jack- 
son's corps, were plainly visible. The attack, thus 
anticipated, was made at about four o'clock in the 



106 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

afternoon. At the proper moment Longstreet moved 
forward to the relief of Jackson. Stuart had obtained 
control of four batteries, Stribling's, Rogers', Eshle- 
man's, and Richardson's, and having placed them under 
the command of Colonel T. L. Rosser, who was de- 
tached from his regiment for this service, pressed for- 
ward in advance of Longstreet's right to obtain an 
enfilading fire upon the enemy's lines. Although, as 
Rosser narrates, at one time nearly half a mile in ad- 
vance of Longstreet's right, and unsupported even by 
cavalry, these batteries maintained their position in 
spite of the attempt made by a force which was sent 
to dislodge them; and they contributed in no small 
degree to the repulse of that portion of Pope's army 
against which Longstreet advanced. 

While Rosser was thus occupied Robertson had ad- 
vanced his brigade to the vicinity of the Lewis House, 
in order that he might, if opportunity offered, strike 
the enemy's rear near the Stone Bridge. Here he 
met Buford's cavalry brigade in one of the handsomest 
cavalry fights of the war, the honors of which fairly 
belong to Munford and the 2d Virginia Cavalry. Ob- 
serving at the first only a small portion of the Fed- 
eral cavalry, Lieutenant-Colonel J. W. Watts was sent 
forward with one squadron. His charge developed 
the fact that he had attacked the advance-guard of a 
brigade, which was advancing to battle in column of 
regiments. Munford formed the 2d regiment in line, 
and was retiring to gain the advantage of a better posi- 
tion, when he heard the order given to the enemy's 
column, " Forward ! trot ! march ! " He instantly 
wheeled by fours, and charged at full gallop. The 
impetuosity of the charge carried his regiment entirely 
through the first line of the enemy, with whom his men 
were thoroughly intermingled in hand to hand fight. 



CAVALRY FIGHT NEAR THE LEWIS HOUSE. 107 

For a moment his position was critical, for he had en- 
gaged perhaps four times his number; but General 
Robertson rapidly brought forward the 7th regiment, 
under Captain S. B. Myers, and the 12th regiment, 
under Colonel A. W. Harman, whose supporting charge 
drove the enemy across Bull Run. The 2d regiment 
stopped at the ford, but the 7th and the 12th continued 
the pursuit until the enemy were driven beyond the 
turnpike at the Stone Bridge. Adjutant Harman and 
Sergeant Leopold, both of the 12th Virginia Cavalry, 
are mentioned for conspicuous courage. The 2d Vir- 
ginia Cavalry lost three men killed and four officers and 
twenty-eight men seriously wounded. Among the 
wounded were Lieutenant - Colonel J. W. Watts and 
Major C. Breckinridge. Colonel Munford himself was 
dismounted by a sabre stroke, and his horse was killed. 
The entire loss in Robertson's brigade was five killed 
and forty wounded. More than three hundred prison- 
ers were captured, together with a large number of 
horses, arms, and equipments. 

During these days Stuart sustained a severe loss in 
the death of his signal officer, Captain J. Hardeman 
Stuart, whom he had sent on the 25th to attempt the 
capture of the Federal signal station on View Tree, an 
eminence overlooking Warrenton, and, if possible, to 
establish his own flag in its place. Captain Stuart was 
unable to surprise the station, and the force under his 
command was insufficient to effect its capture. He 
had dismounted for the purpose of reconnoitring the 
enemy, and had given his horse to a man to hold. 
For some unaccountable reason this man left his post, 
carrying with him the captain's horse, and leaving him 
to make his way out as best he could. In this Cap- 
tain Stuart succeeded, and, joining the march of Long- 
street's command, shouldered a musket and fought in 



108 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

the ranks as a private soldier. General Stuart says of 
him : — 

He was killed at the storming of Groveton Heights, among 
the foremost. No young man was so universally beloved or 
will be more universally mourned. He was a young man of 
fine attainments and bright promise. 

The battle of the 30th was continued until ten o'clock 
at night, when darkness closed the pursuit and covered 
the retreat of Pope's army across Bull Run. A heavy 
rain, which fell during the night, impeded the move- 
ments of Lee's army and gave the enemy opportunity 
to recover. While Longstreet remained on the field 
of battle to bury the dead and collect the captured 
arms, Jackson crossed Bull Run at Sudley's Ford, and 
moved toward the Little River Turnpike. Early on 
that morning Stuart had preceded Jackson, and had 
concentrated his two brigades on the same road, near 
Chantilly. The Federal army was in full retreat to- 
ward Centreville, its flanks feebly guarded by some 
small bodies of cavalry, two companies of which sur- 
rendered almost without firing a shot. Pressing down 
toward the Centreville road, on which the enemy was 
retreating, Stuart obtained a commanding position, and 
about dark attacked their trains with his artillery as 
they were moving on toward Fairfax Court House. 
On the morning of this day, Colonel Rosser, with the 
5th Virginia Cavalry, was sent to reoccupy Manassas 
Junction, where he captured about four hundred strag- 
glers, some arms, and medical stores. 

On the 1st of September Jackson fought the battle 
of Ox Hill. On the next day Fitz Lee's brigade occu- 
pied Fairfax Court House. On the same day the 3d 
regiment of Virginia Cavalry rejoined its brigade, hav- 
ing moved up from Brandy Station, and Hampton's 
brigade reached the front, after having guarded the 



MUN FORD'S FIGHT AT LEESBURG. 109 

removal of the army from Richmond. A reconnois- 
sance by Hampton on this day developed the position 
of the enemy at Flint Hill. 

Having driven Pope's army to a secure position be- 
hind the defences of Washington, General Lee turned 
northward to the Potomac, and began the first Mary- 
land campaign. While this movement was in progress 
Stuart covered the front toward Washington. He had 
learned that an irregular body of cavalry under a cer- 
tain Captain Means was harassing the citizens in the 
vicinity of Leesburg, and on the 2d of September he 
sent Colonel Munford, with the 2d Virginia Cavalry, 
to that point. On approaching Leesburg, Munford 
learned that it was occupied by Means' company, and 
that he was supported by about two hundred men 
under Major Cole, of Maryland. Munford's regiment 
numbered only about one hundred and sixty men ; but, 
approaching Leesburg by an unexpected direction, he 
effected a surprise, and after a heavy skirmish com- 
pletely routed Means' party, and pursued him to Wa- 
terford, a distance of seven miles. He captured forty- 
seven prisoners, and killed or wounded twenty. An 
interesting incident of this fight was that Edward, the 
servant of Private English, of company K, followed his 
master in the charge, and shot one of the Means party 
who had made himself especially obnoxious. 

On the 5th of September Brigadier-General B. H. 
Robertson was relieved of the command of his brigade, 
and was ordered to the department of North Carolina, 
where (in the words of the order) " his services are in- 
dispensably necessary for the organization and instruc- 
tion of cavalry troops of North Carolina." Colonel 
Munford was assigned to the command of the brigade, 
and served in that capacity until the latter part of Oc- 
tober, when Colonel W. E. Jones was appointed briga- 
dier-general. 







^"*^— f~6 ^ fp 



CHAPTER X. 

THE FIRST MARYLAND CAMPAIGN". 

Following the march of the main army, Stuart's 
cavalry crossed the Potomac at Leesburg on the after- 
noon of the 5th of September, and extending itself 
from the river to the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad 
covered the front toward Washington. Fitz Lee occu- 
pied the left at New Market, Hampton the centre at 
Hyattstown, while Munford covered the signal station 
on Sugar Loaf Mountain, and extended his pickets as 
far as Poolesville. Stuart's headquarters were in rear 
of the centre of this line at Urbana. This position 
was maintained until the 11th, Hampton being engaged 
in some unimportant skirmishes near Hyattstown, and 
Munford in more serious fighting near Poolesville. 
Upon leaving Virginia the 6th regiment had been 
detached from Munford's brigade to collect arms and 
guard the captured property on the battle-field at Ma- 
nassas ; and the 17th battalion had also been assigned 
to detached service. Three regiments only remained 
to Munford, and upon these the casualties of the cam- 
paign had fallen heavily. The 12th regiment had 
been reduced to seventy-five men, and the 2d regiment 
numbered less than two hundred. 

On the 7th of September Pleasonton's cavalry drove 
in Munford's pickets at Poolesville, and on the follow- 
ing day the 8th Illinois and the 3d Indiana Cavalry, 
with two pieces of artillery, advanced to occupy that 



MOVEMENTS OF GENERAL McCLELLA.X. 113 

but some time was consumed in establishing communi- 
cations and securing cooperation between the Confeder- 
ate forces, which were separated by the Potomac and 
Shenandoah rivers. This was not accomplished until 
the afternoon of the 14th ; for before his artillery 
could be placed in position to command Harper's Ferry 
and Bolivar Heights, it was necessary for McLaws to 
cut a road along the top of the ridge to the bluff 
which overhangs the river. This work occupied the 
morning of the 14th. At dawn on the loth Jackson 
attacked the garrison from the Virginia side, and within 
two hours received the surrender of an army of eleven 
thousand men, seventy-three pieces of artillery, thir- 
teen thousand stand of small arms, and large stores and 
munitions of war. 

Until the loth of September the utmost uncertainty 
in regard to Lee's movements and intentions had ex- 
isted in the Federal army and at Washington. The 
fact that Jackson had recrossed the Potomac at Wil- 
liamsport was telegraphed by Governor Curtain to 
President Lincoln on the 12th ; but so far from divin- 
ing the real object of this movement, the Federal 
authorities were only able to see in it an indication of 
the retreat of Lee's army, or of a possible attack upon 
Washington from the south side of the Potomac. Gen- 
eral McClellan's movements were much embarrassed 
by this uncertainty, and by the timidity of those in 
Washington who so largely controlled him. His right 
wing under Burnside rested on the Baltimore and Ohio 
Railroad, while his left under Franklin extended to 
the Potomac. On the 11th of September the left wing 
was thrown forward, and, as we have already seen, 
drove away Munford's party from Sugar Loaf Moun- 
tain. On the 12th a general advance along his whole 
line compelled Stuart to withdraw from his position at 



114 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

Urbana and Hyattstown. Fitz Lee crossed the Mono- 
cacy above Frederick, while Hampton retired through 
that place toward Middletown. Munford was at the 
same time drawn back to the gap in the Catoctin range 
at Jefferson. As Hampton was withdrawing through 
the streets of Frederick, the enemy pressed so closely 
upon his rear with infantry and artillery that he found 
it necessary to check their pursuit in order to insure 
the orderly withdrawal of his brigade. The enemy 
had planted a gun in the suburbs of the city, and were 
firing along the street through which Hampton must 
pass. This gun was supported by the 30th Ohio Infan- 
try and by two companies of cavalry. Colonel M. C. 
Butler, of the 2d South Carolina Cavalry, was directed 
to attack. Lieutenant Meighan's squadron made the 
charge, supported by the brigade provost guard of 
forty men, under Captain J. F. Waring. Lieuten- 
ant Meighan rode over the gun, dispersed its support, 
and captured the officer in command, Colonel Moore of 
the 30th Ohio, and seven other prisoners. He might 
have brought off the gun had not five of its horses 
been killed in the fight. This sharp action protected 
Hampton's rear, and his brigade was slowly withdrawn 
to Middletown, leaving the Jeff Davis Legion and two 
guns, under Lieutenant-Colonel W. T. Martin, to hold 
the gap in the Catoctin Mountain. 

Early on the 13th Stuart returned with Hampton's 
brigade to the position occupied by Colonel Martin at 
the gap. He had not yet been able to determine 
whether he was opposing a reconnoissance, or whether 
the army of McClellan was advancing. The orders 
which he, in common with the other subordinate com- 
manders, had received contemplated the reduction of 
Harper's Ferry on the 12th or 13th; and after that 
event no importance would attach to the mountain 



THE AFFAIR AT BURKITTSVILLE. 115 

gaps. But no intelligence had been received from Har- 
per's Ferry ; and in order to gain time and to develop 
the enemy, Stuart determined to hold the gap beyond 
Middletown ; while Fitz Lee, from his position on the 
left, was sent to gain the enemy's rear, and endeavor to 
ascertain his real force. Although attacked by Pleas- 
onton's cavalry, Hampton held the gap until about two 
o'clock in the afternoon, when the advance of Rodman's 
division of infantry compelled him to withdraw toward 
Middletown, near which place he made a second and a 
third stand, checking each time the progress of the 
enemy. 

Having assured himself that Turner's Gap, where 
the Boonsboro' road crosses the South Mountain, was 
held in force by the infantry of D. H. Hill's division, 
and having posted Rosser with the 5th Virginia Cavalry 
and the horse artillery at Braddock's Gap, on the right 
of Hill's position, Stuart withdrew Hampton from con- 
tact with the enemy and sent him to reinforce Mun- 
ford at Crampton's Gap, which he now considered the 
weakest portion of the line. The Jeff Davis Legion 
was detached from Hampton for service at the Boons- 
boro' Gap. 

Munford's two regiments had not been allowed to 
remain idle on this day. The enemy pressed upon his 
position at Jefferson by three roads, and followed him 
closely with cavalry as he retired toward Burkittsville, 
or Crampton's Gap. Colonel Harman with the 12th 
regiment was sent hurriedly to gain position at Bur- 
kittsville and to secure the wagons of the brigade, 
while Munford with the sharpshooters of the 2d regi- 
ment, under Captain Holland, disputed the enemy's ad- 
vance. Finding himself heavily pressed, Captain Hol- 
land made a dash at his pursuers with a mere handful 
of mounted men, and checked them until an advan- 



116 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

tageous position had been secured for the artillery on 
the mountain side. At this opportune moment Hamp- 
ton was approaching from the north, but all unaware 
of the pressure under which Munford was laboring. 
Observing a regiment of the enemy's cavalry on a road 
parallel to the one on which he was moving, Hampton 
took the Cobb Georgia Legion across to charge it. 
Lieutenant-Colonel P. M. B. Y^ung led the charge, dis- 
persed the party, and captured prisoners from the 3d 
Indiana and 8th Illinois Cavalry. Hampton states that 
the published accounts of the enemy acknowledged the 
loss of thirty men killed and wounded in this fight. 
His own loss was four killed and nine wounded. Among 
the latter was Lieutenant-Colonel Young. This attack 
upon the enemy's rear brought the much needed relief 
to Munford, although he was at the time unaware of the 
real cause. Menaced by this new danger the enemy 
retired from Munford's front, giving the road to Hamp- 
ton, who, approaching from the direction from which 
Munford anticipated attack, was not recognized by him. 
Waiting until the head of Hampton's column was within 
easy range, Munford's guns were shotted and the lan- 
yards applied ; when fortunately Hampton perceived 
the intention, and raising a white flag made himself 
known as a friend. 

The situation of the Confederate army on the morn- 
ing of the 14th of September was critical in the ex- 
treme. Jackson's corps and three divisions of Long- 
street's were concentrated at Harper's Ferry, and were 
separated from the rest of the army by the Potomac 
River. This was practically the case even with Mc- 
Laws' command on Maryland Heights ; for he was 
eventually compelled to cross the river into Virginia 
and recross at Shepherdstown before he could rejoin the 
army at Sharpsburg. Four divisions of infantry and a 



HOLDING THE MOUNTAIN PASSES. 117 

part of the cavalry alone remained with General Lee. 
The mountain passes at Turner's and Crampton's gaps 
were held by mere rear-guards : D. H. Hill's division, of 
less than five thousand men, occupying the important 
point at Turner's Gap, while Hampton and Munford, 
with their cavalry, held Crampton's Gap. In his ad- 
vance on the loth the enemy had not exposed much 
of his force, and Stuart was still uncertain as to the 
character of the movement he had been opposing, es- 
pecially as Fitz Lee had been unable to gain the ene- 
my's rear. Naturally anxious not to overestimate the 
force he had encountered, Stuart reported to D. H. Hill 
and to McLaws only what he had seen, and this was 
not enough to cause serious apprehensions. Neverthe- 
less Harper's Ferry had not yet surrendered, and until 
this did take place and give opportunity for the con- 
centration of the Confederate army, the gravest peril 
existed that McLaws might be overpowered at Mary- 
land Heights, and that the four divisions with Gen- 
eral Lee might be called upon to face the greater part 
of the Federal army. It was therefore imperative 
that the mountain passes should be held for at least a 
day longer ; and to effect this Longstreet was recalled 
from Hagerstown to Boonsboro' by a forced march, and 
Cobb's brigade was sent by McLaws to reinforce the 
two brigades he had left near Crampton's Gap. But 
so great was the uncertainty produced by the inactivity 
of the enemy on the 13th that D. H. Hill did not 
move to the front two of his brigades, Ripley's and 
Rodes', until he was actually attacked ; and McLaws 
did not send Cobb's brigade to reinforce the gap in his 
rear until noon on the same day. 

Stuart left the vicinity of Boonsboro' early on the 
morning of the 14th and rode rapidly to Crampton's 
Gap. The enemy had as yet made no demonstration 



118 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

at this point, and Stuart deemed it necessary to send 
Hampton to guard the road next to the river at the 
end of the mountain ridge, lest an attempt should be 
made to relieve Harper's Ferry from that direction. 
Leaving Munford at Crampton's, with his own two 
regiments of cavalry and two fragments of infantry 
regiments from Mahone's brigade, and having in- 
structed Munford to hold the gap at any cost, Stuart 
himself proceeded to McLaws' position to procure ad- 
ditional force, and to acquaint himself with the state of 
affairs. 

Leading westward from Burkittsville two practicable 
roads cross the mountain at points about a mile distant 
from each other. The southern passage is known as 
the Browersville Gap, the northern, as Crampton's. 
General McLaws had advanced on Maryland Heights 
through the Browersville Gap, and it was here that he 
had left General Semmes with his own and Mahone's 
brigade. Semmes' position was four miles distant from 
Maryland Heights, and Crampton's Gap was five miles. 
The roads east of the mountain leading to both these 
gaps were within sight of each other, and a force ad- 
vancing upon either was exposed to artillery fire from 
both. 

The inactivity of the Federal army on the 13th and 
the early part of the 14th - of September will, perhaps, 
be excused by the historian on account of the demor- 
alized condition in which that army was left by the 
disastrous campaign under General Pope. It pos- 
sessed, however, at this time every incentive for active 
exertion. On the 13th General McClellan was author- 
itatively informed of General Lee's plans and move- 
ments ; and the exposed condition of his army was as 
well known to him as to us at the present day. 
Through the fatal carelessness of some one, that copy 



THE BATTLE AT TURNER'S PASS. 119 

of the order of march issued by General Lee on the 
9th of September and addressed to General D. H. Hill, 
which revealed the movement of every part of Lee's 
army, was left at Frederick and fell into General Mc- 
Clellan's hands. No general could hope for a greater 
advantage over his adversary ; and yet the mountain 
gaps were not forced until the evening of the 14th. 
In calculating the results which might have ensued had 
the Federal army moved with greater celerity, it must 
not be forgotten that both Hill and McLaws had abun- 
dant time to make more effective dispositions for the 
defence of the gaps, and that these dispositions were not 
made, simply because the small force developed by the 
enemy on the loth did not seem to require them. For 
the same reason Hampton's brigade of cavalry was 
moved on the morning of the 14th from Crampton's 
Gap, where its services would have been of inestimable 
value, to a point which the sequel showed to be of but 
little importance. , 

The battle at Turner's Pass began at about seven 
o'clock on the morning of the 14th. As the record 
does not show that the cavalry was actively engaged in 
this battle, it is only necessary for this narrative to 
state the general result. General D. H. Hill main- 
tained his position unsupported and without sustaining 
any serious reverse until four o'clock in the afternoon, 
although assailed by the two corps which constituted 
the right wing of the Federal army. At four o'clock 
Longstreet arrived at the gap, which was held until 
darkness put an end to the conflict. But both the 
right and left of the Confederate line had been turned 
by the superior numbers of the enemy, and the posi- 
tion was no longer tenable. Longstreet and Hill 
were therefore withdrawn during the night, and on 
the next morning were placed in position beyond the 



120 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

Antietam at Sharpsburg. The withdrawal of these 
troops was covered by Fitz Lee's cavalry brigade, 
which, on the morning of the 15th, was hotly engaged 
in a manner which will hereafter be described. 

The gallant defence made by Colonel Munford at 
Crampton's Gap demands a more extended notice. 
Munford had selected a strong position for his men 
behind a stone fence near the eastern base of the 
mountain. In his rear was a body of woods, and in 
his front a large open field over which the enemy 
must advance to the attack. Every available cavalry- 
man was dismounted and placed in line of battle to 
strengthen the two regiments of infantry under his 
command. Chew's battery of horse artillery and a sec- 
tion of navy howitzers from the Portsmouth battery 
were placed in position near this line, but were subse- 
quently removed to a more commanding point higher 
up the mountain. Not until skirmishing had actually 
begun was Munford reinforced by the two remaining 
regiments of Mahone's brigade under Colonel Parham. 
These regiments hardly numbered three hundred men, 
and the whole force under Munford's control could not 
have amounted to as many as eight hundred. At noon 
his pickets at Burkittsville were driven in, and the en- 
emy soon after appeared in force at the base of the 
mountain. The first demonstration was directed to- 
ward the lower gap, the one held by General Semmes ; 
but being met by the artillery fire from both gaps, the 
assault concentrated on Munford. At three o'clock in 
the afternoon a column of attack was organized con- 
sisting of the three brigades of Slocum's division 
strengthened by two brigades of Smith's division. Al- 
though assailed by such superior numbers Munford 
held his position for three hours. The action was in 
full view of General Semmes, but from him he received 



THE BATTLE AT CRAMPTON'S GAP. 121 

no further assistance. The infantry under Colonel 
Parham and the dismounted cavalry vied with each 
other in the steadiness of their fire, and there was no 
break in their ranks until after the arrival of Cobb's 
brigade. Munford's report says : — 

After much delay, and some four couriers had been sent, 
General Cobb, with two regiments of his brigade, came up 
to my support. When the general himself came up, I ex- 
plained the position of the troops, and of course turned over 
the command to him. At his request I posted the two regi- 
ments. The first troops, having exhausted all their ammuni- 
tion, began to fall back as soon as their support came up, 
Colonel Parham having already partially supplied them with 
ammunition. When the two other regiments of General 
Cobb's brigade came up, he again requested me to put them 
in position, but they behaved badly and did not get in posi- 
tion before the wildest confusion commenced, the wounded 
coming to the rear in numbers, and more well men coming 
with them. General Cobb attempted to rally the men, but 
without the least effect, and it would have been as useless as 
to attempt to rally a flock of frightened sheep. Had General 
Cobb's brigade given the support to the first troops engaged 
which they deserved, the gap would have been held. The 
cavalry horses were on the road leading to Boonsboro', and 
having previously retired the artillery on the Harper's Ferry 
road (every round of ammunition having been fired for some 
time before), I formed my command and moved down the 
mountain, the infantry still running in great disorder on the 
Harper's Ferry road, followed at a short distance by the en- 
emy, who were then between them and the cavalry, who had 
to go for their horses. The enemy was at the forks of these 
roads before many of the cavalry, who were the last to give 
up their position. Had General Cobb come up in time the 
result might have been otherwise. There were two* stone 
walls at the base of the mountain pai'allel to each other, and 
one commanding the other, which could have been held against 
great odds had the troops been in position. 

It affords me great pleasure to commend Colonel Parham as 



122 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

a gallant and efficient officer, who did everything in his power 
to hold his position. His little command fought splendidly. 
Colonel Parham's loss must have been heavy, as he was a 
long time engaged and the firing was as heavy as I ever heard. 

General Slocum acknowledges a loss of 511 in his di- 
vision. He claims to have captured over 300 prisoners, 
700 stand of arms, and one piece of abandoned artil- 
lery. 

Having regained his horses, Munf ord retired towards 
Boonsboro', and on the next day took position covering 
the approaches to Keedysville. As the enemy closed 
down upon the line of the Antietam, Munford retired 
to Sharpsburg, and was assigned to the right of Lee's 
line of battle, guarding the lower crossings, where he 
was engaged in active skirmishing on the 17th and 
18th. 

Munford's gallant fight had transpired while Stuart 
was on Maryland Heights. The knowledge which he 
had gained of the country during the John Brown 
raid led him to believe that he could render valuable 
assistance at that point; and with this object in view, 
as well as to gain the information necessary for the 
proper direction of his own command, he had joined 
General McLaws while the enemy appeared inactive at 
Crampton's Gap. He urged that the road leading from 
Harper's Ferry, by the Kennedy Farm, toward Sharps- 
burg, be occupied, lest any of the enemy should escape 
thereby. The neglect of this precaution was followed 
by serious results. On the night of the 14th, Colonel 
B. F. Davis, of the 8th New York Cavalry, marched 
out from Harper's Ferry by this very road, at the 
head of fifteen hundred horsemen ; and, meeting with 
no opposition, he not only delivered the cavalry from 
the surrender of the following morning, but inflicted 
serious loss on the Confederates by capturing a por- 



STUART RETURNS TO CRAMPTON'S GAP. 123 

tion of Longstreet's ordnance train near Sharpsburg. 
General Lee acknowledges the loss of 45 wagons. 
Colonel Voss, of the 12th Illinois Cavalry, claims the 
capture of 60 wagons and 675 prisoners. 

As soon as Stuart was informed of the fight at Cramp- 
ton's Gap he returned thither, but only in time to meet 
the disorganized fugitives of Cobb's brigade as they 
were streaming down Pleasant Valley. They reported 
that the enemy was immediately in their rear and in 
overwhelming force. Aided by the presence of Gen- 
eral McLaws, some portions of the brigade were rallied 
and a line was formed across the road. Reconnoitrino- 
parties were sent back toward the gap, but found no 
enemy within a mile. The approach of night had pre- 
vented the enemy from following up the signal advan- 
tage which he had gained, and gave time for disposi- 
tions to dispute his progress. All of McLaws' com- 
mand except one regiment and two guns was with- 
drawn from Maryland Heights, and was moved back 
toward the mountain passes, in anticipation of a battle 
on the following morning, but the early surrender of 
Harper's Ferry relieved McLaws of his most serious 
embarrassment, and the excellent position of his line 
of battle in Pleasant Valley caused the enemy to 
pause. McLaws withdrew his command to Harper's 
Ferry at two o'clock p. m., and marching by way of 
Shepherdstown, reached Sharpsburg at sunrise on the 
17th, in time to participate in the battle of that day. 
During this movement his rear was covered by the 
cavalry under Hampton, which on the 17th occupied 
position on the right of the Confederate line on the 
Antietam. 

Stuart was on McLaws' line of battle in Pleasant Val- 
ley when Harper's Ferry surrendered. The news was 
at once communicated to the troops, and produced wild 



124 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

demonstrations of joy. Stuart reported in person to 
General Jackson, and was by him requested to convey 
the information to the commanding general at Sharps- 
burg. Leaving his staff to follow at a more moderate 
pace, he took with him one courier, and proceeded at 
full speed upon this mission. He reached the town 
soon after the arrival of Longstreet and D. H. Hill, 
whose troops were greatly strengthened and encour- 
aged by Jackson's success. 

On the night of the 14th, after the battle at Tur- 
ner's Pass, Fitz Lee was ordered to cover the withdrawal 
of the infantry from the mountain, and to resist and 
retard as much as possible the advance which it was 
anticipated the enemy would make on the following 
morning. He took position east of Boonsboro', where 
he could command the road as it descended from the 
mountain. A good position was secured for his artil- 
lery, and dismounted skirmishers were thrown out well 
to the front. A mounted force on either side of the 
road supported the guns. 

Soon after daylight a column of the enemy's in- 
fantry debouched from the gap. Fitz Lee's skirmish- 
ers were soon engaged, and fell back slowly until the 
position occupied by his guns was uncovered. He 
withheld their fire until the head of the enemy's col- ■ 
umn was within easy range, when shells were ex- 
ploded in it so rapidly and accurately as to cause 
a halt. A second attempt to advance was attended 
with a like result. Lines of battle were now formed 
extending beyond both of Fitz Lee's flanks, and he 
was compelled to retire toward the town. His guns 
had been sent back to a new position, and his 
mounted men were in the act of withdrawing, when 
the lines of the enemy's infantry opened and let out a 
force of cavalry, which came charging down the road. 



FITZ LEE'S BRIGADE AT BOONSBORO'. 125 

The 3d Virginia Cavalry was called on to meet this 
charge, and responded so handsomely that the Federal 
cavalry was driven back to their infantry. But the 
pressure upon Lee's rear was soon renewed, and be- 
came so heavy as he was passing through Boonsboro' 
that it was necessary to make a stand with one of his 
regiments to insure the orderly withdrawal of the re- 
mainder. This difficult duty devolved upon Colonel 
W. H. F. Lee and the 9th Virginia Cavalry. The 
street through which he necessarily passed was so nar- 
row that his regiment could only be operated in col- 
umn of fours. A sufficient interval was, however, pre- 
served between his squadrons, which were employed 
successively in charging the head of the enemy's ad- 
vancing column. As one squadron retired from the 
charge, to form again in rear of the regiment, the one 
next in front took up the battle. By a rapid series of 
well executed attacks the 9th resriment thus covered 
the retreat of the remainder of the brigade and gave 
it time to take position west of Boonsboro'. 

The contest in the streets of the town was fierce and 
protracted. The Union sentiment here was strong, and 
Colonel Lee's squadrons were assailed not only by an 
open enemy, but concealed foes shot at his men from 
the windows of the houses. The 9th regiment was of 
course pushed back steadily through the town. In re- 
tiring from a charge, one squadron was compelled to 
cross a narrow bridge. The enemy was pressing close 
behind. At the entrance to the bridge Colonel Lee's 
horse fell in the road. The press of men and horses 
permitted no attempt at recovery. In an instant he 
was overridden by his own men and by a portion of 
the enemy. Captain Haynes, who commanded the 
squadron next in position, charged and recovered the 
bridge, and raising Colonel Lee's horse from the 



126 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

ground, called upon him to mount and escape. He 
was, however, so stunned and bruised as to be in- 
capable of moving hand or foot ; and before others of 
his men could come to his rescue Captain Haynes was 
driven back across the bridge by a fresh charge of the 
enemy, and was compelled to leave his colonel to his 
fate. For some time he lay on the roadside, dazed and 
helpless, as the enemy's cavalry, infantry, and artillery 
passed by within a few feet of him. No one, however, 
noticed him. At length the thought entered his mind 
that escape was not impossible. By slow and painful 
movements he crawled to a copse of woods which 
skirted the field adjacent to the road. Here he was 
so fortunate as to meet two or three Confederate 
soldiers, who had become separated from their com- 
mands. By them he was raised to his feet and sup- 
ported to a farm-house, where a horse was procured. 
Avoiding the roads and pressing westward, he suc- 
ceeded in crossing the Antietam before night, and was 
soon afterwards in the hands of his friends, who wel- 
comed him as one restored from the dead. 

Having brought his command through Boonsboro', 
Fitz Lee made another stand at the intersection of 
the Keedysville road, where he was again successful 
in delaying the enemy for a considerable time. In 
withdrawing from this position he retired on the' road 
leading directly west, hoping to draw the enemy after 
him on this, which was, for them, the wrong road. 
He thus occupied their attention during the greater 
part of the day, and finding, at length, that he was no 
longer pursued, he moved his command to Sharpsburg, 
and placed it on the left of the Confederate line, guard- 
ing the upper fords of the Antietam. 

It was not until late in the afternoon of the 16th 
that the Federal army was so far concentrated west of 



SHARPSBURG. 127 

the Antietam as to warrant the beginning of an attack. 
The Confederate line of battle rested its right upon 
Antietam Creek, covering the two bridges by which 
alone Sharpsburg could be approached in that direc- 
tion, and extended thence northward for a distance 
of about two and a half miles, nearly parallel with 
the course of the Antietam. The right was held by 
Longstreet, the centre by D. H. Hill, and the left by 
two small divisions of Jackson's corps, commanded 
by General Lawton. The Confederate left was pro- 
longed by the cavalry under Stuart, and was somewhat 
retired, in a westerly direction, toward the Potomac 
River. Any attack upon the Confederate right or cen- 
tre must of necessity be preceded by a severe struggle 
for the possession of the narrow stone bridges which 
there spanned the Antietam ; but on the Confederate 
left there were bridges and practicable fords across 
which an undisputed passage could be made. This 
consideration determined McClellan's plan of battle, 
which was to cross the Antietam at the points above 
Sharpsburg where it was undefended, and attempt to 
crush the Confederate left wing, which being accom- 
plished would make easy the attacks which should be 
subsequently directed against the centre and right. 
The effort against the Confederate left was made by 
three corps, those of Hooker, Mansfield, and Sumner. 
Hooker crossed the Antietam on the afternoon of the 
16th, and pressed southward and eastward. Timely 
notice of this movement was given by Stuart, and two 
brigades of Hood's division were sent forward to meet it. 
They encountered Hooker's troops in the woods east of 
the Hagerstown turnpike, and opposite the Dunkard 
Church, around which the battle must rage so fiercely 
the following day. Night had now fallen. The sharp 
contest between Hooker's troops and Hood's brigades 



128 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

had lasted but a short time, and had resulted in no ad- 
vantage to either side. Both parties lay down upon their 
arms, ready to resume the battle at the dawn of day. 
During the night Hood was replaced by Lawton's and 
Trimble's brigades from Jackson's command. On the 
other side Mansfield's corps had crossed the Antietam 
and lay within supporting distance of Hooker, while 
Sumner was close to the Antietam, ready to cross at 
daybreak. 

I borrow the following description of this part of the 
field of battle from Swinton's " Decisive Battles of the 
War": — 

If leaving the town of Sharpsburg the pedestrian walks 
northward by the Hagerstown road, he will, at the distance of 
a mile, reach a small edifice, known as the Dunker Church, sit- 
uate on the road, hard by a body of woods. This wood, which 
has a depth of about a quarter of a mile, runs along the 
Hagerstown road for several hundred yards, entirely on the 
left hand side as you proceed from Sharpsburg. Then there is 
a field, the edge of which runs at right angles to the road for 
about two hundred yards, thus making an elbow in the woods. 
The field then turns to the right, and runs along the woods 
parallel to the Hagerstown road for a quarter of a mile, when 
the wood again turns square to the left and extends back 
about half a mile, making at this point again an elbow with 
the strip of woods running along the road from the church. 
The timber ground is full of ledges of limestone and small 
ridges, affording excellent cover for troops. It was here that 
Jackson's troops were posted. The field from the timber to 
the Hagerstown road forms a plateau, nearly level, and in 
higher ground than the woods, which slope down abruptly 
from the edges of the plateau. The field, however, extends 
not only to the Hagerstown road, but for a considerable dis- 
tance to the east side of it, when it is again circumscribed by 
another body of timber, which we may call the " east woods." 
The woods around the Dunker Church, the " east woods," and 
the open field between them formed the arena whereon the 



SIIARPSBURG. 129 

terrible wrestle between the Union right and Confederate left 
took place, — a fierce flame of battle, which, beginning in the 
" east woods," swept back and forth across the field, burst forth 
for a time in the woods around the Dunker Church, and which 
left its marks everywhere, but in most visible horror on the 
open plain. 

The advance of Hooker's corps, which had been in- 
terrupted by nightfall, was resumed at the dawn of day. 
His first onset fell upon the three brigades of Ewell's 
division, Lawton's, Trimble's, and Hays', under the 
command of General Lawton, which numbered only 
twenty-four hundred men. Early's brigade had been 
sent to support the artillery with which Stuart, on the 
left, maintained a severe enfilading fire upon the ene- 
my's right. After sustaining the unequal contest for 
an hour, this little band of heroes was forced back 
across the open field east of the turnpike, and into the 
woods in which is situated the Dunkard Church. Here, 
still fighting, they were reinforced by Jackson's other 
division, commanded by General Starke, and the battle 
was renewed with almost unparalleled ferocity. Before 
seven o'clock a. m. Jackson had lost one half of his 
men in killed and wounded, and Hooker's corps had 
been so completely shattered that General Sumner 
stated that when he came upon the field he saw nothing 
of it at all. 

As the Confederate line retired, Stuart's position 
became too much exposed, and the direction of his fire 
now endangered his friends. He therefore withdrew 
more to the rear of the Confederate left, where he was 
better able to participate in the contest, which still 
raged around the Dunkard Church. At the same time 
Early was recalled to assume the command of Ewell's 
division, after General Lawton was wounded ; and leav- 
ing one regiment, the 13th Virginia, to support Stu- 



130 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

art's artillery, he returned toward the position he had 
first occupied that morning. At half past seven o'clock 
Mansfield's corps reinforced Hooker's shattered line, 
but he was met and disastrously repulsed by Hood's 
division, which pursued the retreating enemy east of 
the turnpike, until the ground was recovered on which 
the battle had begun at daybreak. But here again the 
tide of battle turned, for Sumner's corps had now ad- 
vanced to the front, and attacking with fresh strength 
troops already exhausted, Hood's division was forced 
back across the open field, now ghastly with the dead 
and dying, and into, and even beyond, the woods sur- 
rounding the Dunkard Church. While this last attack 
was transpiring Early was moving his brigade into 
position in this body of woods, which he had just 
regained after leaving Stuart. The advance of Sum- 
ner was pursued so far that Early was entirely sepa- 
rated on his right from the rest of Jackson's command, 
and was at the same time threatened with attack by a 
force which was advancing across the open field toward 
his left. At the moment when the success of Sumner's 
attack was such as seemingly to threaten the destruc- 
tion of the Confederate left, McLaws' division arrived 
in place, and, joining with Early in a sweeping charge, 
drove Sumner back through the woods and across the 
open field east of the turnpike, and into the woods in 
which the battle first began. 

In such a battle there was no opportunity to use the 
little body of cavalry which followed Stuart to support 
his guns. But Stuart himself was ceaselessly active. 
The positions which he occupied were indeed of the 
greatest importance. Between the left of Jackson's 
line and the sharp elbow which the Potomac makes just 
beyond was an open space, through which, if left un- 
guarded, the enemy might easily have penetrated to 



SHARPSBURG. 131 

Jackson's rear. The rising ground gave admirable 
positions for artillery, and had these hills fallen into 
the possession of the Federals, Jackson's divisions must 
have been driven back upon the Confederate centre. 
The historian Swinton blames Hooker because, after 
his first success in driving back Lawton's three bri- 
gades to the Dunkard Church, he did not at once order 
up Mansfield's corps, and occupy this ground. He 
says: — 

There is a commanding eminence to the right of where 
Hooker's flank rested, which would thus have been occupied ; 
and as it is the key of the field, taking en revers the woods 
with the outcropping ledges of limestone where Jackson's re- 
serves lay, its possession would, in all likelihood, have been 
decisive of the field. Hooker failed to perceive this ; but he 
advanced his line to reap the fruit of his first advantage, thrust- 
ing forward his centre and left over the open fields toward the 
woods west of the Hagerstown road. 1 

This very position which Swinton thinks might have 
been occupied by Mansfield was the one which Stuart 
guarded. Behind his guns at the time of Hooker's 
first success lay Early's brigade of infantry and Fitz 
Lee's brigade of cavalry. Mansfield might have gained 
these heights, but certainly not without a struggle ; for 
not only was the horse artillery brought into action by 
Stuart, but other guns from Jackson's command served 
with him under Pelham. Poague, Pegram, and Car- 
rington, with others, were there. The last assault made 
by Sumner's corps brought it under the musketry fire 
of the 13th Virginia Infantry, which supported these 
guns. In speaking of the final repulse of this corps 
General Early says : — 

Major-General Stuart, with the pieces of artillery under his 
charge, contributed largely to the repulse of the enemy, and 

1 Decisive Battles of the War, p. 165. 



132 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

pursued them for some distance with his artillery and the 13th 
Virginia regiment under the command of Captain F. V. 
Winston. 

General Jackson says, in reference to a proposed 
movement against the enemy's right, on the afternoon 
of the 17th : — 

In this movement Major-General Stuart had the advance, 
and acted well his part. This officer rendered valuable service 
throughout the day. His bold use of artillery secured for us 
an important position, which, had the enemy possessed, might 
have commanded our left. 

The repulse of Sumner's corps closed the serious 
fighting on that flank. Attempts were made to force 
the right and centre of the Confederate line, but they 
were repulsed ; and night closed down upon this hard- 
fought field. With four thousand men Jackson had 
sustained the attack of Hooker's powerful corps, and 
had reduced it to the condition described in General 
Sumner's words. When Hooker was reinforced by 
Mansfield's corps, Hood's division came to Jackson's as- 
sistance. Then followed McLaw's charge and the final 
repulse of Sumner's corps. Two divisions of Jackson's 
corps, aided by two divisions from Longstreet's, in all 
less than ten thousand men, had met and shattered 
three corps of the Federal army, which outnumbered 
them four to one. 

On the 18th the two armies confronted each other 
in sullen silence. The scene can never be forgotten 
by those who rode along Jackson's attenuated line. 
There appeared to be hardly one man to a rod of 
ground, and it seemed that a compact regiment must 
pierce such a line at any point, should the attempt be 
made. But a bold front and an over-cautious enemy 
saved the Confederates from such an unequal contest ; 
and during the night General Lee safely transferred 



A GALLANT DEED. 133 

his forces to the south bank of the Potomac. Fitz 
Lee's brigade again covered the withdrawal of the in- 
fantry. Mnnford, who had been skirmishing with the 
enemy on the extreme right, along the bank of the 
canal, made a somewhat narrow escape. The messen- 
ger sent by Fitz Lee to notify him to withdraw had 
failed to find him ; and it was not until he rode in 
person to Sharpsburg, and there met General Fitz Lee, 
that he was made aware of the isolated situation of his 
command. However, a rapid ride brought his brigade 
to Shepherdstown in time to cross the river in the pres- 
ence of the enemy, and under the cover of the friendly 
guns on the southern bank. General Munford relates 
an incident which occurred at the ford, and which is 
worth preservation. As he reached the river bank he 
found there General Maxey Gregg with about one 
hundred men, the rear of the infantry. At the edge 
of the river, and in the water, stood an ambulance 
filled with wounded men. The cowardly driver had 
unhitched his horses, crossed the river, and had left 
his suffering comrades to the mercy of the foe. The 
poor fellows begged piteously to be carried to the other 
side. General Gregg lifted his hat, and said to his 
soldiers, — 

" My men, it is a shame to leave these poor fellows 
here in the water ! Can't you take them over the 
river ? " 

In an instant a dozen or more strong men laid hold 
on the ambulance and pulled it through the water, in 
most places waist deep, amid the shouts of the rest, 
who sang, — 

" Carry me back to Old Virginia." 

General Munford also states that Lieutenant W. 0. 
English, of company K, 2d Virginia Cavalry, was the 
last Confederate who crossed the ford at Shepherds- 



134 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

town. He blew up two abandoned caissons with a slow 
match, and then crossed under fire. 

Munford's brigade now took position on the right of 
the Confederate line, near Boteler's Ford. On the 
evening of the 19th four regiments of the 5th corps 
crossed the river at this ford, and attacked the reserve 
artillery, which was supported by Lawton's and Armi- 
stead's brigades. These two brigades did not number 
more than 600 men. They gave way before the attack 
of the enemy, and permitted the capture of four pieces 
of artillery. The retreat of the infantry and artillery 
was covered by Munford's brigade, and greater loss 
was prevented by the efficiency with which the cavalry 
was handled. The enemy retired to the Maryland 
side during the night, but renewed the attempt to har- 
ass the Confederate rear on the following morning. 
Two brigades of Sykes' division and one from Morell's, 
in all thirteen regiments, numbering about 3,500 men, 
crossed the river at an early hour, and advanced to- 
ward Shepherdstown. They were met by A. P. Hill's 
division, and were driven back across the river with 
a loss of 331 men. In this action only three brigades 
of Hill's division were engaged. His total loss was 
261. 

While these events were transpiring on the right of 
the Confederate army, Stuart, with Hampton's brigade 
and some small detachments from several infantry reg- 
iments, had ascended the Potomac on the afternoon of 
the 18 th to Williamsport, for the purpose of making 
a demonstration which might give aid to the army in 
retiring across the river on the 19th. Two sections of 
artillery accompanied this movement. Stuart main- 
tained a threatening position on the Maryland side 
during the 19th and 20th. On the latter day he was 
engaged in skirmishing with Couch's division, which 



A MUCH-NEEDED REST. 135 

had been sent to dislodge him. At night on the 20th 
he withdrew to the Virginia side without loss. 

General Lee's army now moved back beyond Mar- 
tinsburg, and for about six weeks enjoyed much-needed 
rest. The cavalry covered the front of the army, and 
protected it from annoyance. On the 1st of October, 
General Pleasonton, with seven hundred cavalry and a 
battery of artillery, made a reconnoissance as far as 
Martinsburg, retiring within his lines on the same day. 
This affair was attended with but little result on either 
side. 



CHAPTER XI. 1 

THE CHAMBERSBURG RAID. 

During the period of rest which succeeded the battle 
of Sharpsburg, the cavalry headquarters was located 
under the magnificent oaks which beautify the lawn of 
" The Bower," — the residence of Mr. A. S. Dandridge, 
near Charlestown. The open-hearted hospitality, the 
pleasant and ennobling social intercourse of those days, 
can never be forgotten by those who participated in 
them. 

For a few days before the 9th of October a more 
than usual stir at cavalry headquarters aroused suspi- 
cion on the part of those who were somewhat behind 
the scenes. On the afternoon of the 8th Stuart ordered 
his acting adjutant, Lieutenant R. Channing Price, to 
prepare all official papers which required his attention. 
The evening, until eleven o'clock, was spent in the 
society of the ladies of " The Bower." Retiring to his 
tent Stuart then consumed two hours in closing up the 
business of his office. This done, the banjo, fiddle, and 
bones were awakened, and a parting serenade was given 
to his kind friends. 

On the morning of the 9th everything was astir. 
Eighteen hundred cavalry were to rendezvous that day 
at Darksville. Six hundred of the best mounted and 
most reliable men had been selected from each of the 

1 Reports and correspondence, verifying most of the statements con- 
tained in this chapter, will be found in Official Records, vol. xix. part ii. 
p. 26 et seq. 



ORDERS FOR THE EXPEDITION. 137 

three brigades of Hampton, Fitz Lee, and Robertson, 
and these detachments were commanded respectively 
by Brigadier-General Wade Hampton, Colonel W. H. F. 
Lee, and Colonel William E. Jones. Major John Pel- 
ham commanded the four guns which accompanied the 
expedition. 

When the troops had assembled at the rendezvous, 
Stuart issued to them the following address : — 

Soldiers ! You are about to engage in an enterprise which, 
to insure success, imperatively demands at your hands coolness, 
decision, and bravery ; implicit obedience to orders without a 
question or cavil ; and the strictest order and sobriety on the 
march and in bivouac. The destination and extent of this 
expedition had better be kept to myself than known to you. 
Suffice it to say, that with the hearty cooperation of officers 
and men I have not a doubt of its success, — a success which 
will reflect credit in the highest degree upon your arms. The 
orders which are here published for your government are abso- 
lutely necessary, and must be rigidly enforced. 

The orders which controlled the action of the troops 
were in substance as follows : each brigade commander 
was required to detail one third of his command to seize 
horses and other property of citizens of the United 
States subject to legal capture, while the remainder of 
his command was held at all times in readiness for 
action. It was required that receipts should be given 
to all non-combatants for every article taken from 
them, in order that they might have recourse upon 
the Federal government for damages. Individual plun- 
dering was prohibited in the strongest manner. The 
arrest of public functionaries, such as magistrates, post- 
masters, and sheriffs, was ordered, that such persons 
might be held as hostages for citizens of the Confed- 
eracy who had been arrested and imprisoned. The 
seizure of private property in the State of Maryland 
was prohibited. 



138 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. £. STUART. 

Every nerve of every man responded to Stuart's 
address. The secrecy of the movement added zest to 
it. Many a trooper in that company had ridden with 
him around McClellan's army, on the Chickahominy, 
and all felt that they could safely follow where Stuart 
led the way. Hampton took the lead from Darks- 
ville. It was necessary to conceal the presence of the 
troops from the signal station on the Maryland side of 
the river, and Hedgesville was approached after dark. 
Here the command bivouacked for the night, during 
which Hampton personally selected the place where a 
chosen body of twenty-five men, under Lieutenant H. 
R. Phillips, of the 10th Virginia Cavalry, was to cross 
the river on foot above the ford at McCoy's, and at- 
tempt the surprise and capture of the Federal picket. 
Colonel M. C. Butler, of the 2d South Carolina Cavalry, 
who led Hampton's advance, added to this party Lieu- 
tenant Robert Shiver, an experienced scout, and six 
picked men from his own regiment. 

Before daylight every man was in the saddle. But- 
ler, at the head of Captain John Chestnut's company, 
was at the ford, listening for some token of Shiver and 
his men. Soon it came. Shiver had not succeeded in 
surrounding the picket ; but he drove it in so rapidly 
that the fugitives were cut off from their reserve, and 
were unable to report the attack made upon them. 
One Federal soldier was wounded and several horses 
were captured. 

At the first sound from the opposite side Butler 
plunged into the river and secured the ford ; and the 
whole command made a quick and quiet crossing. The 
advance was immediately pressed forward to the Na- 
tional Turnpike, which joins Hagerstown and Hancock, 
near which, upon Fairview Heights, was established a 
Federal signal station. Along this road, between three 



THE CROSSING AT McCOTS FERRY. 139 

and five o'clock that morning, had passed General Cox's 
division of infantry. Butler reached the turnpike so 
close to their rear that he captured ten stragglers from 
that command. The heavy fog which covered the 
river valley obscured all movements, and General Cox 
proceeded on his march to Hancock ignorant of the 
presence of the Confederate cavalry in his rear. 

Twenty men were now sent to capture the signal 
station on Fairview. They approached it within a few 
rods before they were discovered. The two officers in 
charge of the station succeeded in making their escape ; 
but two privates and all the equipments of the station 
were captured. 

Stuart's march was not, however, unobserved. Cap- 
tain Logan, of the 12th Illinois Cavalry, who had charge 
of the pickets in the vicinity, was apprised by a citizen 
as early as half past five o'clock that the enemy was 
crossing at McCoy's Ferry ; and he immediately moved 
out his reserve to the support of his interior pickets, 
which had been attacked but not surprised. He re- 
mained in observation of Stuart's column until nine 
o'clock A. m., when, finding that Stuart was marching 
towards Mercersburg, he moved his pickets around to 
guard the roads leading from the north. At half past 
seven o'clock General Kenly at Williamsport was aware 
of the raid, and at ten o'clock a. m. had communicated 
the direction of Stuart's march to General Brooks at 
Hagerstown. But there was no force of cavalry avail- 
able to check its progress, and the column pressed 
steadily forward toward Mercersburg. 

Although McClellan's army was now on the lookout 
for the invading cavalry, there was no suspicion of 
their presence on the line of march, which was remote 
from telegraph and railroad. The Pennsylvania people 
could not believe it possible that the rebel cavalry had 



140 . MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

invaded the security of their farms, and when the truth 
was forced upon them, their surprise and consternation 
were the occasion of many incidents highly amusing to 
the Confederates. Butler's advance - guard was com- 
pletely equipped with boots and shoes at the expense 
of a Mercersburg merchant, who had no suspicion of 
the character of his liberal customers until payment 
was tendered in the form of the receipt required by 
General Stuart's orders. One old gentleman, who was 
despoiled of a large sorrel mare which he was driving 
to a cart, protested that the impressment of horses 
had been forbidden by orders from Washington. He 
refused to be convinced that he had fallen into the 
hands of the rebels ; but threatened the vengeance of 
the general government upon those who had disre- 
garded its orders. 

The terms of Stuart's orders were strictly enforced 
during the whole march. Nothing whatever was dis- 
disturbed on the soil of Maryland ; but when once the 
Pennsylvania line was crossed, the seizure of horses 
was prosecuted with system and diligence. Six hun- 
dred men scoured the country on either side of the 
line of march, and as far as scouts could extend the 
country was denuded of its horses. With his usual 
courtesy toward ladies, Stuart gave orders that, when- 
ever they might meet his column, they should be 
allowed to pass in their conveyances without moles- 
tation. So strict was the enforcement of orders that 
the men were not even allowed to seize provisions for 
themselves. They sometimes, however, obtained by 
stratagem what they were not permitted to take by 
force. . On the second day's march some hungry caval- 
rymen approached a house whose male defenders had 
fled, leaving the women and babies in possession. A 
polite request for food was met by the somewhat surly 



HE REACHES CHAMBERSBURG. 141 

reply that there was none in the house. Casting a 
wolfish glance upon the babies, a lean fellow remarked 
that he had never been in the habit of eating human 
flesh, but that he was now hungry enough for any- 
thing; and if he could get nothing else he believed 
he would compromise on one of the babies. It is 
hardly necessary to say that the mother's heart re- 
lented and a bountiful repast was soon provided. 1 

Stuart reached Chambersburg about eight o'clock on 
the evening of the 10th, in the midst of a drizzling 
rain. Two pieces of artillery were placed in position 
commanding the town, and Lieutenant Thomas Lee, 
with nine men from Butler's regiment, was sent for- 
ward to demand an unconditional surrender within 
thirty minutes, under penalty of a cannonade. No 
resistance was made, and the troops were immediately 
marched into the town and drawn up on the public 
square. Colonel Butler was ordered by Stuart to enter 
the bank and obtain whatever funds were on hand. 
Accompanied by a suitable guard Butler took posses- 
sion of the building. The cashier assured him that the 
funds had been sent away that morning, and he opened 
the vault and drawers for inspection. Butler was soon 
satisfied that the statement of the cashier was correct. 
Doubtless he had been warned from Hagerstown of 
possible danger, and had prudently provided against 
it. Reassured by the courteous deportment of Colonel 
Butler, the cashier, now that the search for money was 
ended, summoned the ladies of his family, and volun- 
tarily brought forth food for the men, who, though 
hungry, had made no demand on him for the supply 
of their personal wants. Hampton was constituted 
military governor of the town, and placed Butler in 

1 This incident has been claimed by other Confederates ; but it is origi- 
nal with a member of the 9th Virginia Cavalry, and on this raid . 



142 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

immediate command. The strictest discipline was en- 
forced, and quiet reigned throughout the entire night. 

The conduct of the Confederate cavalry in Cham- 
bersburg was so exemplary that it deserves especial 
commemoration. The testimony on this point comes 
almost exclusively from Federal sources, and bears the 
greater weight because given voluntarily. Colonel 
A. K. McClure, now proprietor of the Philadelphia 
" Times," was at that time a resident of Chambersburg, 
and was one of the committee of three citizens who for- 
mally surrendered the city to General Hampton. Col- 
onel McClure wrote at the time a most interesting ac- 
count of the " day of rebel rule in Chambersburg," from 
which extracts are given which show its true character. 
It will be well, however, to relate first one incident 
which has come to light within recent days. 

Hugh Logan, one of Stuart's trusted guides and 
scouts, had been for years a resident of Pennsylvania. 
To him Colonel McClure had, in former days, rendered 
some professional services which Logan remembered 
with kindness. The present circumstances placed it in 
Logan's power to pay his debt of gratitude. He recog- 
nized Colonel McClure at the time of the surrender of 
the city ; and knowing that he was subject to capture 
as an officer of the United States, he advised him to 
go to his home and there remain quietly, in the hope 
that he might escape identification and arrest. At the 
same time he assured Colonel McClure that if he should 
be discovered and arrested, he would take means to 
secure his release. Influenced by these and other con- 
siderations Colonel McClure determined to share the 
fate of his fellow-citizens. He thus describes the scenes 
of that night. 

After travelling a mile westward we were brought to a halt 
by a squad of mounted men, and were informed that General 



COLONEL McCLURE'S NARRATIVE. 143 

Hampton was one of the party, to whom we should address 
ourselves. It was so dark that I could not distinguish him 
from any of his men. Upon being informed that we were a 
committee of citizens, and that there was no organized force in 
the town, and no military commander at the post, he stated, 
in a respectful and soldier-like manner, that he commanded 
the advance of the Confederate troops, that he knew resist- 
ance would be vain, and he wished the citizens to be fully 
advised of his purpose, so as to avoid needless loss of life and 
wanton destruction of property. He said that he had been 
fired upon at Mercersburg and Campbellstown, and had great 
difficulty in restraining his troops. He assured us that he 
would scrupulously protect the citizens, — would allow no 
soldiers to enter public or private houses unless under com- 
mand of an officer upon legitimate business, — that he would 
take such private property as he needed for his government 
or troops, but that he would do so under officers who would 
allow no wanton destruction, and would give receipt for the 
same if desired, so that claim might be made therefor against 
the United States government. All property belonging to or 
used by the United States, he stated, he would use or destroy 
at his pleasure, and the wounded in hospitals would be pa- 
roled. Being a United States officer myself, I naturally felt 
some anxiety to know what my fate would be if he should 
discover me, and I modestly suggested that there might be 
some United States officers in the town in charge of the 
wounded, stores, or of recruiting offices, and asked what dispo- 
sition he would make of them. He answered that he would 
parole them, unless he should have special reasons for not doing 
so ; and he instructed us that none such should be instructed 
by us to leave the town. Here I was in an interesting situ- 
ation. If I remained there might, in General Hampton's opin- 
ion, be "special reasons" for not paroling me, and the fact 
that he had several citizens of Mercersburg with him as pris- 
oners did not diminish my apprehensions. If I should leave, 
as I had ample opportunity afterward to do, I might be held 
as violating my own agreement, and to what extent my family 
and property might suffer in consequence, conjecture had a 
very wide range. With sixty acres of corn in shock, and 



144 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

three barns full of grain, excellent farm and saddle-horses and 
a number of best blooded cattle, the question of property was 
worthy of a thought. I resolved to stay, as I felt so bound by 
the terms of surrender, and take my chances of discovery and 
parole. 

I started in advance of them for my house, but not in time 
to save the horses. I confidently expected to be overrun by 
them, and to find the place one scene of desolation in the 
morning. I resolved, however, that things should be done 
soberly, if possible, and I had just time to destroy all the 
liquors about the house. As their pickets were all around me, 
I could not get it off. ... I finished just in time, for they 
were soon out upon me in force, and every horse in the barn, 
ten in all, was promptly equipped and mounted by a rebel 
cavalryman. They passed on towards Shippensburg, leaving 
a picket force on the road. 

In an hour they returned with all the horses they could 
find, and dismounted to spend the night on the turnpike in 
front of my door. It was now midnight, and I sat on the 
porch observing their movements. They had my best corn- 
field beside them, and their horses fared well. In a little 
while one entered the yard, came up to me, and after a pro- 
found bow, politely asked for a few coals to start a fire. I 
supplied him, and informed him as blandly as possible where 
he would find wood conveniently, as I had dim visions of 
camp-fires made of my palings. I was thanked in return, and 
the mild-mannered villain proceeded at once to strip the fence 
and kindle fires. Soon after a squad came and asked permis- 
sion to get some water. I piloted them to the pump, and 
again received a profusion of thanks. 

Communication having been opened between us, squads fol- 
lowed each other closely for water, but each called and asked 
permission before getting it, and promptly left the yard. I 
was somewhat bewildered by this uniform courtesy, and sup- 
posed it but the prelude to a general movement upon every- 
thing eatable in the morning. It was not a grateful reflection 
that my beautiful mountain trout, from twelve to twenty 
inches long, sporting in the spring, would probably grace the 



COLONEL McCLURE'S NARRATIVE. 145 

rebel breakfast-table ; that the blooded calves in the yard 
beside them would most likely go with the trout ; and the 
dwarf pears had, I felt assured, abundant promise of early 
relief from their golden burdens. 

About one o'clock, half a dozen officers came to the door, 
and asked to have some coffee made for them, offering to pay 
liberally for it in Confederate scrip. After concluding a treaty 
with them on behalf of the colored servants, coffee was prom- 
ised them, and they then asked for a little bread with it. 
They were wet and shivering, and seeing a bright, open wood- 
fire in the library, they asked permission to enter and warm 
themselves until their coffee should be ready, assuring me that 
under no circumstances should anything in the house be dis- 
turbed by their men. I had no alternative but to accept them 
as my guests until it might please them to depart, and I did so 
with as good grace as possible. 

Once seated around the fire all reserve seemed to be forgot- 
ten on their part, and they opened a general conversation on 
politics, the war, the different battles, the merits of generals 
of both armies, etc. They spoke with entire freedom upon 
every subject but their movement into Chambersburg. Most 
of them were men of more than ordinary intelligence and cul- 
ture, and their demeanor was in all respects eminently courte- 
ous. I took a cup of coffee with them, and have seldom seen 
anything more keenly relished. They said that they had not 
tasted coffee for weeks before, and that then they had paid 
from six to ten dollars per pound for it. When they were 
through they asked whether there was any coffee left, and 
finding that there was some, they proposed to bring some 
more officers and a few privates who were prostrated by ex- 
posure, to get what was left. They were, of course, as wel- 
come as those present, and on they came in squads of five or 
more, until every grain of browned coffee was exhausted. 
Then they asked for tea, and that was served to some twenty 
more. 

In the mean time a subordinate officer had begged of me a 

little bread for himself and a few men, and he was supplied in 

the kitchen. He was followed by others in turn, until nearly 

a hundred had been supplied with something to eat or drink. 

10 



146 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

t 
All, however, politely asked permission to enter the house, 

and behaved with entire propriety. They did not make a 
single rude or profane remark even to the servants. In the 
mean time, the officers who had first entered the house had 
filled their pipes from the box of Killickinick on the mantel, — 
after being assured that smoking was not offensive, — and we 
had another hour of free talk on matters generally. . . . 

At four o'clock in the morning the welcome blast of the 
bugle was heard, and they rose hurriedly to depart. Thank- 
ing me for the hospitality they had received, we parted, mutu- 
ally expressing the hope that should we ever meet again, it 
would be under more pleasant circumstances. In a few min- 
utes they were mounted and moved into Chambersburg. 
About seven o'clock I went into town. 

General Stuart sat on his horse in the centre of the town, 
surrounded by his staff, and his command was coming in from 
the country in large squads, leading their old horses and riding 
the new ones they had found in the stables hereabouts. Gen- 
eral Stuart is of medium size, has a keen eye, and wears 
immense sandy whiskers and moustache. His demeanor to 
our people was that of a humane soldier. In several instances 
his men commenced to take private property from stores, but 
they were arrested by General Stuart's provost-guard. In a 
single instance only, that I heard of, did they enter a store 
by intimidating the proprietor. All of our stores and shops 
were closed, and, with a very few exceptions, were not dis- 
turbed. 

Certainly this was a remarkable scene. It did, how- 
ever, but illustrate the control which Stuart had over 
his men. They were accustomed to feel his hand upon 
them in the camp as well as on the field of battle ; and 
they knew that when occasion required that hand was 
a heavy one. Orders were issued to be obeyed, and 
not as an empty sound. And then, the ranks of Stuart's 
regiments were largely filled by men from the high- 
est class of Southern society, — men who intelligently 
appreciated the importance of obedience, and who 



THE RETURN MARCH. 147 

yielded it as readily as they did their lives at their 
country's call. 

Stuart, with his staff and escort of couriers, bivou- 
acked outside of the town, at the toll-gate on the Get- 
tysburg road. Night had settled down upon him with 
a drizzling rain, which had since increased to a steady, 
continuous dropping. 

Rain ! rain ! rain ! Will it never cease ? Dangers 
are multiplying around him. Troops are concentrat- 
ing to oppose him. Cavalry is marching to intercept 
him. Scouts are threading every road to ascertain his 
movements and direct attack upon him. And then this 
rain ! It is easy enough to penetrate into the enemy's 
country, but can he as easily escape from it ? 

His plan of return is fixed in his mind ; but what if 
the river should rise beyond fording, and thus cut off 
the last hope of escape ? 

Captain B. S. White, of his staff, was a former resi- 
dent of Poolesville, Md., and on him Stuart relied as 
his principal guide on the return. Three times during 
that anxious night, while his soldiers slept the sleep of 
the weary and the careless, did Stuart arouse White 
and ask whether he thought that the rain would at 
once raise the river. Each time White assured him 
that his troopers could march as fast as the water would 
flow, and that he would have ample time to cross the 
river before the rain now falling on the mountains 
could cause a swell at the lower fords. But oh ! how 
slowly passed the hours ! The plashing rain invited 
thought, and there was nothing of action to banish ap- 
prehension. The command must rest until morning to 
prepare for the supreme effort which lay before them ; 
and their leader could only wait and long for daylight. 
How heavy the responsibility which drove sleep from 
the eyes of that light-hearted cavalryman ! 



148 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

Day dawned at last, and the head of the column 
started toward Gettysburg. While riding between his 
advance-guard and his main body, Stuart called to his 
side his engineer officer, Captain W. W. Blackford. For 
some moments he rode in silence. At length he spoke 
with deep feeling : — 

" Blackford, I want to explain to you my reasons for 
selecting this route for return ; and if I do not survive, 
I want you to vindicate my memory." 

Taking out his map, he proceeded : — 

" You see, the enemy will be sure to think that I will 
try to recross above, because it is nearer to me and 
further from them. They will have all the fords 
strongly guarded in that direction, and scouting parties 
will be on the lookout for our approach, so that they 
can concentrate to meet us at any point. They will 
never expect me to move three times the distance and 
cross at a ford below them and so close to their main 
body, and therefore they will not be prepared to meet 
us down there. 

" Now, do you understand what I mean ? And don't 
you think I am right ? " 

Blackford assured him that he understood and ap- 
proved his reasons, and that, should the necessity arise, 
he would make them known. 

This momentary unbending brought to Stuart's mind 
the needed relief, and soon the cloud of thought was 
lifted from his brow, and his joyous, confident habit re- 
sumed its sway. 

Colonel Butler, who had held the advance on the 
previous day, now brought up the rear with the 2d 
South Carolina and a detachment from the 1st North 
Carolina Cavalry, under the gallant Captain W. H. H. 
Cowles. He was ordered to destroy the ordnance 
store-house, which contained a large amount of ammuni- 



THE RETURN MARCH. 149 

tion and other army supplies. Having made all neces- 
sary arrangements, he started his own regiment on the 
march, retaining with him only Cowles' detachment. 
He then notified the residents in the immediate vicinity 
of his intention to fire the building, applied the match 
to the slow-burning fuse, and retired to the edge of the 
town to await the result. A loud explosion announced 
that the fire had reached the fixed ammunition, and in 
another instant the wdiole building w r as wrapped in 
flames. Satisfied that his work was accomplished, But- 
ler hurried on to rejoin the command, which he over- 
took at Cashtown, seven and a half miles from Get- 
tysburg. He did not leave Chambersburg until nine 
o'clock a. m., and from this hour the duration of the 
return march is fairly to be computed. 

Stuart followed the direct road from Chambersburg 
to Gettysburg until he had crossed the Catoctin Moun- 
tain. At Cashtown he turned southward and marched 
through Fairfield, on the road to Emmittsburg. All 
day long the details had been busy collecting horses; 
but wdien the Maryland line was reached the command 
was halted, compactly closed up, and the order was 
again issued that no horses should be taken from the 
State of Maryland. 

The detachment from Fitz Lee's brigade commanded 
by Colonel W. H. F. Lee, had held the advance since 
leaving Chambersburg. A squadron of the 1st Virginia 
Cavalry, under Captains C. R. Irving and F. W. South- 
all, constituted the advance - guard. Captain B. S. 
White was now placed at the head of this squadron, as 
guide, and with Logan and Harbaugh, the other guides, 
led the command forward to Emmittsburg, which they 
entered about sunset, amid the most extravagant dem- 
onstrations of joy and welcome from the inhabitants, 
who brought out bountiful provisions for the hungry 



150 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

men during the few minutes they were allowed to re- 
main in their midst. 

Let us now follow the movements of the Federal 
forces in their endeavors to intercept the raiders. 

The cavalry which guarded the right of McClellan's 
army had given early and accurate reports of the move- 
ments of Stuart's column on the morning of the 10th of 
October. By ten o'clock that night Stuart's arrival at 
Chambersburg was telegraphed by Governor Curtin to 
General Wool, at Baltimore, and from that city troops 
were sent out for the protection of Harrisburg and Get- 
tysburg, at which latter place they arrived about the time 
that Stuart was recrossing the Potomac at White's Ford. 
Doubtless these troops could have been moved more 
expeditiously if they had only known where to move 
them ; but it required all of Saturday, the 11th, for 
General Wool and Governor Curtin to decide upon 
what point Stuart would be most likely to move. 

His march as far as Chambersburg was of course defi- 
nitely known at the headquarters of the Army of the 
Potomac on the same night ; but General McClellan 
wisely refrained from sending his cavalry on the fruit- 
less task of following on the trail of the raiders, but 
waited until Stuart's march from Chambersburg was 
sufficiently developed to enable him to act with some 
degree of certainty. Accordingly General Pleasonton 
and his cavalry were held in readiness near Knoxville 
during the 10th, and on the 11th, at four o'clock a. m., 
were ordered to Hagerstown, which they reached be- 
fore noon. Here Pleasonton received false intelligence 
which caused him to think that Stuart was endeavoring 
to retrace his steps and recross the Potomac at one of 
the upper fords, and he immediately started westward 
toward Clear Spring. He had not marched more than 
four miles when he was halted by orders from army 



PLEASONTON'S MOVEMENTS. 151 

headquarters, and at half-past one o'clock was turned 
back with orders to proceed towards Emmittsburg and 
Gettysburg. At noon General McClellan had received 
intelligence of the direction of Stuart's march to- 
ward Gettysburg, intelligence which had been for- 
warded from Chambersburg to Governor Curtin by 
Colonel McClure, as early as half-past seven o'clock, by 
the way of Shippensburg. Conjecturing that Stuart 
might attempt to recross the river near Leesburg, 
McClellan ordered Stoneman, at Poolesville, to be on 
the lookout, and turned back Pleasonton to intercept 
him if possible near Emmittsburg or Mechanicstown. 

But Pleasonton had lost nearly two hours of pre- 
cious time, and had made an unnecessary march of 
eight miles — hours that might have placed him in posi- 
tion to confront Stuart, and miles every foot of which 
would tell against his weary horses during the night 
which was to follow. He reached Mechanicstown, 
which is hardly less than twenty miles from Hagers- 
town, at half-past eight o'clock that evening, — an ex- 
cellent march when it is remembered that he had 
already travelled thirty miles on the same day. Stuart 
was even then passing within four miles of him ; but 
Pleasonton did not know it, and his scouts seem to have 
brought him but tardy information, for he himself 
states that he was not aware of Stuart's movements 
until midnight. He then immediately set out for the 
mouth of the Monocacy, which he reached about eight 
o'clock on the morning of the 12th. But his extraor- 
dinary march of over seventy-eight miles within twenty- 
eight hours had left him with but a fragment of his 
command, and he could do little more than observe 
Stuart's crossing. 

Stuart reached Emmittsburg near sunset on the 11th, 
having marched thirty-one and a half miles since leav- 



152 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

ing Chambersburg. He was now forty-five miles from 
the Potomac. One hour before his arrival at Emmitts- 
burg, four companies of the 6 th Pennsylvania Cavalry, 
Colonel Rush's Lancers, numbering one hundred and 
forty men, had passed through the town on a scout 
toward Gettysburg. Some stragglers from this com- 
mand were chased by Stuart's advance-guard as it en- 
tered the town. After enjoying the hospitalities of the 
citizens for a few minutes, the march was resumed at a 
rapid trot on the road leading southward toward Fred- 
erick. Southall commanded the advance platoon. 
With him rode Pelham, throughout the night, as a com- 
panion. Stuart accompanied Southall for a short dis- 
tance, to regulate the rate of the march, and, on leav- 
ing him, ordered him to keep that gait throughout the 
night, and to ride over anything which might oppose 
him. Soon after dark a courier was captured bearing de- 
spatches from Frederick to the scouting party of Rush's 
Lancers. From him and from his papers Stuart learned 
that the enemy was still unaware of his locality, al- 
though using every means to intercept him. He learned 
that Colonel Rush held Frederick with a force sufficient 
for its protection, 1 and that General Pleasonton, with 
eight hundred men, was rapidly approaching Mechanics- 
town, only four miles from his line of march. He perhaps 
also learned the fact that two brigades of infantry oc- 
cupied the railroad crossing of the Monocacy, in cars, 
the engines with steam up, ready to convey them in 
either direction at a moment's warning. 2 To avoid 
these dangers, the head of the column was ordered to 
turn eastward at Rocky Ridge, and strike the Woods- 

1 The records of the A. and I. G. Office show that Colonel Rush had at 
Frederick the 6th Pennsylvania Cavalry, the 1st Maine Cavalry, Cole's Ma- 
ryland battalion of Cavalry, the 5th Connecticut Infantry, the 29th Ohio In- 
fantry, and Battery K, 1st New York Light Artillery. 

2 McClellan's Report. 



THE RETURN MARCH. ' 153 

boro' road, two miles distant. At Rocky Ridge the 
advance-guard met a small scouting party of Federal 
cavalry which must have come from Pleasonton's com- 
mand. This party retired at once towards Mechanics- 
town. This incident, which is given to the author by 
Captain B. S. White, who guided the advance-guard, 
could not have occurred much later than nine o'clock 
p. m., for at half-past ten o'clock a company of the 6th 
Pennsylvania Cavalry, sent out from Frederick by 
Colonel Rush, observed the march of Stuart's column 
through Woodsboro', more than eight miles distant 
from Rocky Ridge, and transmitted this information to 
Colonel Rush by midnight, sending it at the same time 
to General Pleasonton, at Mechanicstown. It is hard 
to understand how more than three hours could have 
been consumed in sending intelligence from Rocky 
Ridge (which must be the place called Micldletown in 
Pleasonton's report) to Mechanicstown, only four miles 
distant ; but whatever the cause of the clela}', the hours 
were well improved by Stuart. Everything now de- 
pended upon the rapidity of his march, for his route to 
the Potomac was necessarily longer by many miles than 
the road which lay open to Pleasonton. Throughout 
the whole of the night the head of his column was kept 
at a trot, and by daylight on the 12th the advance- 
guard entered Hyattstown, which is thirty-three and a 
half miles from Emmittsburg. Within twenty hours 
Stuart had marched sixty-five miles, and had kept up 
his artillery. Horses for the guns and caissons there 
were in abundance ; and as fast as one team was bro- 
ken down the horses were turned out and others were 
substituted. Three or four times during the night did 
the drivers change their horses, and the march was 
made without delay or interruption. But at Hyatts- 
town he was still more than twelve miles from a place 



154 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

of safety. General Stoneman, who was stationed at 
Poolesville, guarded all the lower fords with three bri- 
gades of infantry and Colonel Duffie's cavalry, and Pleas- 
onton was rapidly closing down upon the mouth of the 
Monocacy. It seemed hardly possible that he could es- 
cape these dangers. Even at this clay we can almost 
justify General McClellan in saying : " I did not think 
it possible for Stuart to recross, and I believed that the 
capture or destruction of his entire force was perfectly 
certain." x 

Up to the time when the command reached Hyatts- 
town Logan and Harbaugh had aided in guiding the 
\ advance ; but now that all-important duty devolved 
! solely upon Captain B. S. White, whose long residence 
\ at Poolesville had rendered him perfectly familiar with 
the country. His courage and capacity had often been 
| tried ; nor was he found wanting on this occasion. 
\ Upon his well-laid plans the final success of the ex- 
pedition now largely depended. 

Until nine o'clock on the morning of~the 12th General 
Stoneman had been led to believe, by despatches from 
army headquarters, that Stuart would endeavor to pass 
between him and the river, and cross at Leesburg. While 
not neglecting other points, Stoneman's expectations 
and dispositions were largely based on this information. 
All that could be learned of Stuart's movements tended 
to confirm this idea ; and, indeed, Stuart directed his 
march from Hyattstown with the intention, if possible, 
thus to deceive his enemy. From Hyattstown he 
moved to Barnesville, which he reached just after it 
was vacated by a company of Duffie's cavalry. Thence 
he pushed boldly southward toward Poolesville. He 
took it for granted that Sugar Loaf Mountain was oc- 
cupied by a signal station, and that his every move- 

1 McClellan 's Report. 



THE RETURN MARCH. 155 

ment would be telegraphed thence, and cause a con- 
centration of forces at Poolesville. When he had 
marched a little more than two miles in that direction, 
the road entered a large body of woods which envel- 
oped his command and concealed his movements. Here 
he found, as White had predicted, a road long disused, 
but easily reopened by throwing down a few fences. 
Turning abruptly to the west, this road led, within a 
mile and a half, to the road between the mouth of the 
Monacacy and Poolesville, and entered that road about 
three miles from the mouth of the Monocacy. When 
Stuart's advance-guard reached the last-named road 
they immediately turned northward. 

Meanwhile General Pleasonton had reached the 
mouth of the Monocacy with that portion of his com- 
mand which had survived the night's march from Me- 
chanicstown. It was now eight o'clock in the morn- 
ing. Pleasonton had four hundred cavalry and two of 
Pennington's guns in hands. He was pleased to have 
occupied the ford which he had selected in his own 
mind as the point at which Stuart intended to cross. 
As yet nothing had been heard from the raiders, and 
Pleasonton moved on toward Poolesville by the very 
road now occupied by Stuart, whose advance-guard had 
hardly cleared the woods and gained the road, when 
the Federal cavalry came in view. The night had 
been cold, and the morning was chilly and damp, and 
the Confederates had not yet put off the blue overcoats 
with which they had provided themselves at Chambers- 
burg. Stuart was riding at the head of his advance- 
guard, side by side with Captain Irving and Captain 
Southall. The Federal cavalry could not be sure that 
this was not a party of their friends. Noticing their 
hesitation Stuart restrained his men until a nearer 
approach gave him a more complete opportunity for a 



156 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

surprise. Then the charge was ordered. The Federal 
squadron stood only long enough to fire one volley, 
and then turned and ran back to their main body. 
Captain Irving's horse was wounded by this fire, but 
no other casualty resulted to the Confederates ; nor 
does it appear that the Federal squadron allowed their 
enemies to approach sufficiently near to inflict any se- 
rious damage upon them. This charge was, however, 
of the greatest importance to Stuart. By it he occu- 
pied the road up to the Little Monocacy, where a high 
bluff, extending nearly to the river, protected his left 
flank, and screened his subsequent movements from 
observation. He also gained a commanding position 
a quarter of a mile in advance of the road by which 
Captain White expected to approach White's Ford. 
Thus far all was well. Unless White's Ford were 
occupied by the enemy Stuart was safe. Instantly 
Pelham with one of his guns was hurried forward, 
and, supported by dismounted men, opened a rapid 
fire across the Little Monocacy upon Pleasonton's com- 
mand. At the same moment Colonel W. H. F. Lee, 
with the leading brigade and the led horses was turned 
off to the left by a farm road to the ford, which was 
two miles distant. Lee was followed by Colonel W. 
E. Jones' command. Hampton held the rear. Stuart's 
demonstration so impressed Pleasonton with the idea 
that he wished to advance and cross the Potomac at 
the mouth of the Monocacy, that he made no effort 
to attack until reinforced by the arrival of the two 
remaining guns of Pennington's battery, and by four 
companies of infantry, 1 which had been stationed at 

1 I have followed General Pleasonton's statement as to the number of 
companies of infantry, although the report of Colonel E. Walker, command- 
ing the 3d and 4th Maine Infantry, seems to show that both of these regi- 
ments were engaged at this point. 



THE CROSSING AT WHITE'S FORD. 157 

the ford behind him. Here again Stuart gained more 
than two hours, — hours that insured his safety. 

As Colonel Lee approached White's Ford it seemed 
that the worst fears were about to be realized. A large 
body of Federal infantry had it in possession. Posted 
on a precipitous quarry bluff, and separated from the 
ford only by the width of the canal, it seemed a des- 
perate undertaking to attempt to dislodge this force if 
any serious resistance should be made. But something 
must be clone, and that quickly. The situation seemed 
so dangerous that Colonel Lee sent a messenger to 
Stuart requesting his presence at the ford ; but Stu- 
art only replied that he was fully occupied w 7 here he 
was, and that the ford must be gained at all hazards. 
Nothing remained for Lee but to make the attack. 
His plan was to assail the quarry bluff in front and 
from his left flank, while a strong party of cavalry 
made a dash at the ford and endeavored to cross in 
spite of and through the fire of the enemy. He hoped 
thus to gain the opposite bank with one gun, and thence 
open fire upon the enemy's rear. It seemed like a for- 
lorn hope, but there was no escape from it. 

While making his dispositions for the attack, Colonel 
Lee concluded to try the effect of a little bravado. He 
wrote a note to the Federal commander, stating that 
General Stuart with his whole command was in his 
front, and that the hopelessness of making successful 
resistance must be apparent : to avoid unnecessary 
bloodshed he was called upon to surrender : fifteen 
minutes were granted for compliance with this de- 
mand, at the expiration of which his line would be 
charged. 

A courier with a handkerchief tied to his sabre con- 
veyed this note to the Federal skirmishers. The fif- 
teen minutes passed, and yet there was no sign of 



158 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

a white flag along the enemy's line. Lee opened with 
his artillery and ordered his regiments to advance. In 
another moment he expected to receive the fire of the 
enemy. 

" Is it possible ! " exclaimed several voices. " They 
are retreating ! They are retreating ! " 

It seemed too good to be true ; and yet it was true. 
With flags flying, drums beating, in perfect order, with 
skirmishers well out to the rear, the Federal infantry 
abandoned their strong position without an effort at 
resistance, and marched eastward down the river. A 
wild cheer arose from the Confederate ranks when 
they realized this unexpected deliverance. Glad were 
they to allow their enemy an unmolested retreat ; for 
the ford was now secure, and safety was within their 
grasp. 

Down into the dry bed of the canal, up its steep 
bank, and across the rugged ford, one piece of artillery 
was hurried, and soon crowned the bluff on the Vir- 
ginia side. The other gun was stationed to sweep the 
tow-path and other approaches to the ford, while the 
stream of cavalrymen and the long train of captured 
horses passed rapidly through the water. 

Pelham maintained his position in Pleasonton's front 
until all but the rear-guard had passed, when he too 
was gradually withdrawn from one position to another 
toward the ford. He was making; his last stand on the 
Maryland side, firing now up, now down the river, at 
the enemy approaching from both directions. Every- 
thing was ready for the final withdrawal except that 
the rear-guard — Butler's regiment and the North Car- 
olinians — had not arrived. Courier after courier had 
been sent to hasten Butler toward the ford, but no 
tidings of him had been received. 

Captain Blackford had been stationed by Stuart at 



NARROW ESCAPE OF THE REAR-GUARD. 159 

the ford to urge on the crossing and to prevent the 
men from stopping to water their horses. Stuart ap- 
proached him, and said with evident emotion, — 

" Blackford, we are going to lose our rear-guard ! " 

" How is that, General," asked Blackford. 

" Why, I have sent four couriers to Butler, and he is 
not here yet ; and see ! there is the enemy closing in 
behind us ! " 

" Let me try it ! " said Blackford. 

Stuart paused a moment, and then, extending his 
hand, said, — 

" All right ! and if Ave don't meet again good-by, 
old fellow ! " and in an instant Blackford was speeding 
on his mission. 

Colonel Butler had brought up the rear the whole 
distance from Chambersburg. He had assigned the 
rear-guard to Captain Cowles and the North Carolina 
detachment. Before his rear had cleared the Pooles- 
ville road, Cowles notified Butler that the enemy had 
overtaken him and was pressing upon him. Butler 
halted at once, and being entirely ignorant of what 
was transpiring at the front, made disposition of his 
regiment and his one gun to resist or delay the fur- 
ther advance of the enemy. While thus engaged, 
Blackford, who had passed in succession the couriers 
sent in search of Butler, arrived in hot haste with the 
news from the front, and all excitement with the inten- 
sity of the occasion. 

" General Stuart says, ' Withdraw at a gallop, or you 
will be cut off!'" 

" But," replied Butler, with his own inimitable cool- 
ness, " I don't think I can bring off that gun. The 
horses can't move it ! " 

" Leave the gun," said Blackford, " and save your 
men." 



160 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

" Well, we '11 see what we can do ! " replied Butler. 

To the amazement of all, the broken-down horses 
responded to whip and spur, and the gun went whirl- 
ing down the road, followed by Butler and his men. 
As he rounded the turn of the road toward the ford, 
Pennington saluted him with his guns ; and as he ap- 
proached the ford he was subjected to the distant and 
scattering fire of the infantry approaching from Pooles- 
ville and the lower river. Ten minutes later, and he 
could hardly have cut his way through, even with the 
loss of his gun ; but now a rapid dash through the 
ford, and the last man was safely landed on Virginia 
soil. 

Stuart's joy at the successful termination of his expe- 
dition was unbounded. The enemy made no attempt 
at further pursuit, but approached the ford sufficiently 
near to receive a few shots from Pelham's guns, and to 
hear the exulting cheers with which his men greeted 
Stuart as he rode along their lines. 

His march from Chambersburg is one of the most 
remarkable on record. Within twenty-seven hours he 
had traversed eighty miles, 1 although encumbered by 
his artillery and captured horses, and had forced a pas- 
sage of the Potomac under the very eyes of forces 
which largely outnumbered his own. His only casualty 
was the wounding of one man. Two men, who for 
some reason dropped out of the line of march, were 
captured. 

After a short breathing-spell the troops moved on to 
Leesburg, ten miles distant, where they bivouacked for 
the night and enjoyed well-earned repose. Thence by 

1 The map shows that Stuart's route from Chambersburg to White's 
Ford is seventy-seven miles in length. The details of the roads, which 
the map cannot show, may reasonably be estimated at three miles. Both 
McClellan and Pleasonton state the length of Stuart's march at ninety 

miles. 



CONDITION OF THE FEDERAL CAVALRY. 161 

easy marches they returned to their camps west of the 
mountains. 

The amount of public and railroad property de- 
stroyed in Chambersburg was estimated by Colonel 
McClure at about two hundred and fifty thousand 
dollars. Two hundred and eighty sick and wounded 
prisoners were paroled. About thirty United States 
government officials and other citizens of prominence 
were captured and forwarded to Richmond, to be held 
as hostages for citizens of the Confederacy imprisoned 
by the United States authorities. Of the number of 
horses brought over to Virginia there is no official 
record ; but private memoranda state it at about twelve 
hundred. The remounts obtained by the Southern 
cavalry were, however, generally less valuable for the 
cavalry service than many of the horses that were of 
necessity abandoned on the march. Stuart himself lost 
two valuable animals — Lady Margrave and Skylark — 
which were in charge of his servant Bob. The temp- 
tation of drink was too strong for Bob's constancy. He 
imbibed enough to make him sleepy, fell out of the 
line to take a nap, and awoke to find himself and his 
charge in the hands of the enemy. 

Not the least important of the results of this expe- 
dition was its effects on the physical and moral condi- 
tion of the Federal cavalry. As to its physical results, 
General McClellan sufficiently describes them when he 
says in his report, that it was necessary for him to use 
all of his cavalry against Stuart, and that " this ex- 
hausting service completely broke down nearly all of 
our cavalry horses and rendered a remount absolutely 
indispensable before we could advance on the enemy." 
On the 6th of October General McClellan had received 
positive orders " to cross the river and attack the 
enemy." He was unable to execute these orders until 
11 



162 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

the last days of that month. His correspondence with 
General Halleck shows that the condition of his cav- 
alry was one of the chief causes of this delay. Perhaps 
even more important was the fact that confidence in 
the cavalry of the Army of the Potomac was seriously 
impaired, not only among the people generally, but 
even in the highest circles of the Federal government. 
That this statement is no exaggeration appears from 
the following letter of President Lincoln. If he could 
have given expression to such opinions, what must 
have been the sentiment among the people at large ! 

Executive Mansion, Washington, 
October 26, 1862 (Sent 11.30 a. m.). 

Major-General McClellan, — Yours, in reply to mine 
about horses, received. Of course you know the facts better 
than I ; still, two considerations remain. Stuart's cavalry out- 
marched ours, having certainly done more marked service on 
the Peninsula and everywhere since. Secondly, will not a 
movement of our army be a relief to the cavalry, compelling 
the enemy to concentrate, instead of foraying in squads every- 
where? But I am so rejoiced to learn from your dispatch to 
General Halleck that you begin crossing the river this morn- 
ing. A. Lincoln. 

The effect upon the Federal cavalry itself may be 
inferred from the fact that on the 31st of October, 
Stuart felt able, with one thousand men, to throw him- 
self between Pleasonton at Purcellville and Bayard at 
Aldie, both of whom commanded forces superior to his 
own, causing Bayard to retire toward Washington ; 
and holding Pleasonton in check for three days be- 
tween Philemont and Paris, a distance hardly exceed- 
ing ten miles ; although Pleasonton was operating with 
two brigades of cavalry and one of infantry. 

It is interesting to inquire what were the elements 
of success which brought Stuart safely through those 



ELEMENTS OF STUARTS SUCCESS. 163 

combinations of his enemies which to General McClel- 
lan's mind appeared certain to result in the capture or 
destruction of his command. 

First, we must notice that General Stuart himself 
reverently ascribes his success to the guiding hand of a 
protecting Providence. To the pious mind, the narrow 
escape from conflict with Pleasonton south of Emmitts- 
burg ; the capture of the courier near Rocky Ridge, 
with information which showed what dangers were to 
be avoided ; and the retreat of the Federal infantry 
from White's Ford, must seem to be interpositions of 
Providence in his behalf. 

General Williams C. Wickham relates the following 
incident. When his command was mounted at Cham- 
bersburg on the morning of the 11th, his regiment was 
formed fronting westward, with the expectation of re- 
tracing the march of the previous day. He was, how- 
ever, soon ordered to change front and move toward 
Gettysburg. In a conversation held with Stuart months 
after these events, Wickham inquired what caused his 
determination to make the circuit of McClellan's army. 
" Was it intuition ? " asked Wickham. " No," replied 
Stuart, " rather say judgment." Stuart then repeated 
to Wickham, substantially, the reasons stated in the 
conversation with Blackford, which has already been 
related. 

The swiftness of Stuart's march, and the uncertainty 
of the enemy as to his intentions, were, humanly speak- 
ing, the strongest elements of success in the expedition. 
After the direction of his march toward Gettysburg 
was determined, it seemed reasonably certain that he 
would endeavor to cross the river somewhere in the 
vicinity of Leesburg : but between that place and the 
Point of Rocks there were several practicable fords, 
any one of which he might select, and all of which 



164 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

must be observed by the Federal forces. It would 
have been a rare chance which had concentrated at 
any one of these fords sufficient force to resist the 
attack of twelve hundred fighting men, within sight of 
safety, and under such leadership. And then the other 
route could not be neglected ; for it was by no means 
certain that, after occupying Gettysburg, Stuart would 
not retrace his steps, and attempt some of the upper 
fords. He chose, however, the boldest and the safest 
plan. The ford which he had selected was so near the 
main body of the Federal army that it seemed improb- 
able that he would there attempt a passage ; and 
although his presence was detected at an early hour, 
his movements were so bold and so swift, that he alto- 
gether avoided any serious collision with his foes. 

Again : at the time and place of clanger Stuart was 
always present. He habitually rode with his advance- 
guard, and was ever ready to seize and improve an 
opportunity. He could " trust in Providence " with an 
honest and sincere faith : but he also kept his powder 
dry. 

The management of the Federal infantry at White's 
Ford invites criticism. From General Stoneman's re- 
port we learn the dispositions which he made on the 
11th of October, when informed of the possibility that 
Stuart might attempt to cross the Potomac in his 
vicinity. He tells us that the 3d and 4th Maine In- 
fantry, 600 strong, were posted at the mouth of the 
Monocacy ; the 99th Pennsylvania and the 40th New 
York Infantry, 700 strong, at White's Ford ; the 10th 
Vermont Infantry at Seneca Creek ; the 39th Massa- 
chusetts Infantry at Edward's Ferry ; and the re- 
serve, consisting of the 38th and 101st New York and 
57th Pennsylvania Infantry and the 1st Rhode Island 
Cavalry, 950 strong, at Poolesville. It appears, how- 



THE FEDERAL INFANTRY AT WHITE'S FORD. 165 

ever, from the report of Colonel H. G. Staples, com- 
manding brigade, that the 40th New York had been 
sent on the morning of the 11th on a reconnoissance 
towards Leesburg, in support of a portion of the 1st 
Rhode Island Cavalry, and that it returned to camp 
near Conrad's Ferry on the same night. 

The 99th Pennsylvania was, therefore, the only reg- 
iment at White's Ford at the time of Stuart's arrival. 
Lieutenant-Colonel Edwin R. Biles, who commanded 
this regiment on this occasion, states that the 99th 
was extended along the river " from near Conrad's 
Ferry, on the left, to some three hundred yards above 
White's Ford, on my right, a distance of about four 
miles." He had two reserves, — one, of three compa- 
nies, at White's Ford ; and another, of one company, 
at Weedin's Ford, a mile and a half below. Company 
A had been sent on the night of the 10th to relieve a 
company of the 40th New York at the mouth of the 
Monocacy. The remainder of the regiment was distrib- 
uted along the river at various picket posts. Colonel 
Biles does not mention the fact that company A re- 
joined him on the morning of the 12th ; but Colonel 
E. Walker, of the 4th Maine, states that he found a 
company of the 99th Pennsylvania at the Culvert 
Bridge, and ordered it to rejoin its regiment at White's 
Ford ; and Colonel Biles states, incidentally, that, hav- 
ing withdrawn from White's Ford, and having reached 
Weedin's Ford, his regiment was " now together." It 
would seem, therefore, that company A was not ab- 
sent. 

About nine o'clock on the morning of the 12th, Colo- 
nel Biles discovered that the enemy was advancing 
upon him. He immediately stationed his reserve on 
the hill commanding the ford, and drew in his nearest 
pickets. He was joined by one company which had 



166 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

been on his left. He now commanded five entire 
companies (if company A be included), to which were 
doubtless added pickets from other companies. He 
states that his force was " about one hundred men." 
It is difficult, however, to accept this estimate ; for, ac- 
cording to the records of the adjutant-general's office, 
his regiment numbered, on the 30th of September, an 
aggregate present for duty of 477. If only four com- 
panies were present, they should have numbered nearly 
200 men. Stuart states that about 200 infantry occu- 
pied the ford. General W. H. F. Lee considers that 
this is an underestimate. Whatever may have been his 
force, it was certainly a matter of extreme and grate- 
ful surprise to the Confederate cavalry that Colonel 
Biles was content to abandon so strong a position with- 
out a contest. That he occupied a post of danger was 
certainly true. Some men, out of just such circum- 
stances, have won for themselves undying fame. 

One other characteristic incident of this expedition 
may be noted. During the first Maryland campaign, 
while his headquarters were at Urbana, Stuart had re- 
ceived many acts of kindness and courtesy at the hands 
of the ladies of the family of Mr. Cockey. As he bade 
them good-by when his cavalry fell back before Mc- 
Clellan's advance, he had laughingly promised these 
ladies that he would call upon them again before very 
long. When he reached New Market on the night of 
the 11th, he, with a few of his staff and couriers, left 
the route of his column, rode to Urbana, aroused the 
family from slumber, paid his compliments to the ladies 
while yet on horseback, reminded them of his promise, 
and begged that they would accept this as the fulfil- 
ment of it. He then rode on and rejoined his column 
before daylight. 



CHAPTER XII. 

FROM THE VALLEY TO FREDERICKSBURG. 

Only two days of rest were allowed to Stuart's com- 
mand after his return from Chambersburg. At day- 
light, on the 16th of October, two columns of the Fed- 
eral army advanced : one, under Brigadier-General A. 
A. Humphreys, from Shepherdstown to Smithfield ; the 
other, under Brigadier-General W. S. Hancock, from 
Harper's Ferry to Charlestown. General Humphreys 
commanded 6,000 infantry, 500 cavalry, and six pieces 
of artillery. General Hancock commanded his own 
division, 1,500 men from other divisions, four regiments 
of cavalry, and four pieces of artillery. He does not 
state the numerical strength of his command, but it 
was probably greater than that of the other column. 
Stuart's raid seems to have suggested many possibilities 
to the Federal authorities ; hence this reconnoissance 
in force, the object of which was to determine whether 
General Lee's army was yet in the Valley of Vir- 
ginia. 

The advance of General Humphreys' column was 
opposed by Stuart in person with Fitz Lee's brigade. 
At Kearneysville, six and a half miles from Shepherds- 
town, Stuart was reinforced by Winder's brigade of in- 
fantry, which happened to be at that point engaged in 
destroying the railroad. A determined attack was nec- 
essary to dislodge him from this position. This occurred 
about sunset. On the following day Hampton's brigade 



168 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

joined Stuart, who so closely covered General Hum- 
phreys' movements that he was unwilling to trust his 
cavalry beyond the support of his infantry. He esti- 
mated Stuart's force at 7,000 men ; and as his object 
was to obtain information rather than to bring on a 
fight, he pushed forward cautiously as far as Leetown, 
whence he sent a scouting party of twenty-five cav- 
alry to Smithfield. Having thus accomplished his ob- 
ject, he retraced his steps on the same day. General 
Humphreys particularly acknowledges " the assistance 
received from Major Lovell, commanding the brigade of 
regulars ; Major Curtis, commanding the cavalry ; Cap- 
tain McClellan, my assistant adjutant-general; Lieuten- 
ant Ash, commanding detachment of 5th U. S. Cavalry ; 
and Lieutenant Hazlett, commanding the artillery." 

The advance of General Hancock's column was op- 
posed by Colonel T. T. Munford with the 6th, 7th, and 
12th Virginia Cavalry, and a portion, of the 2d Vir- 
ginia Cavalry, supported by one gun from Chew's bat- 
tery of horse artillery, and three guns from the Rich- 
mond Howitzer Battalion, under Captain B. H. Smith, 
Jr. Munford offered stubborn resistance, and com- 
pelled the enemy to deploy three brigades of infantry 
to support his advance cavalry; but he was pushed 
back to Charlestown, which the enemy occupied about 
one o'clock p. m. 1 Colonel Munford makes special men- 
tion of the gallantry of Captain B. H. Smith, who lost 
a foot and was captured in Charlestown as his last piece 
was retiring from the field. He also commends Lieu- 
tenant J. W. Carter, of Chew's battery, who, although 
wounded early in the day, returned to his gun as soon 
as his wound was dressed. 

General Hancock remained in occupation at Charles- 

1 Report of Col. S. K. Zook, Official Records, vol. xix. part ii. p. 94. 



PART 



LOUDOUN VALLEY. 

WITH APPROACHES. 




THE AFFAIR AT MOUNTSVILLE. 169 

town until the afternoon of the 17th, when he also 
withdrew his command to his former position at Har- 
per's Ferry. 1 

Having ascertained by means of this reconnoissance 
that the army of General Lee was yet in the Valley, 
General McClellan rapidly completed his preparations 
for an advance, and on the 26th of October crossed the 
Potomac below Harper's Ferry with two divisions of 
the 9th corps and Pleasonton's cavalry, and pushed 
back the Confederate pickets east of the mountains as 
far as Snicker's Gap. By the 2d of November the 
whole of his army had crossed the river and was ad- 
vancing into the interior of Virginia. Stuart was, of 
course, informed of the earliest of these movements, 
and while Lee's army was preparing to march, he 
crossed the mountains into Loudon County, by way of 
Snicker's Gap, with Fitz Lee's brigade and six pieces 
of artillery. General Fitz Lee was disabled from ser- 
vice, and Colonel W. H.'F. Lee had not recovered from 
the severe injuries received at Boonsboro'. The com- 
mand of the brigade devolved on Colonel W. C. Wick- 
ham, of the 4th Virginia Cavalry. A troublesome dis- 
ease, known as the " greased heel," had prevailed 
among the horses, and the number of men for duty in 
this brigade had been reduced to less than one thou- 
sand. On the night of the 30th of October Stuart bi- 
vouacked near Bloomfield. A picket consisting of 
three companies of the 1st Rhode Island Cavalry had 
been established by the enemy at Mountsville, where 
the Snickersville turnpike crosses Goose Creek. 2 Hav- 
ing ascertained their position, Stuart determined to 

1 Quotations from reports and other statements made in this chapter may 
be verified by reference to the Official Records, vol. xix. part ii. p. 102 et 
seq. 

2 Sabres and Spurs : the History of the 1st Regiment Rhode Island Cav- 
alry. By Rev. F. Denison, Chaplain, p. 169. 



170 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

attempt their capture. Moving early on the morning 
of the 31st, he approached Mountsville by an unfre- 
quented road, surprised the party, captured their camp, 
and drove the whole into rapid flight. Lieutenant L. 
D. Gove, of the 1st Rhode Island, was killed, and fifty 
prisoners were captured, including one commissioned 
and nine non-commissioned officers. 1 The attack was 
made by the 9th Virginia Cavalry, supported by the 
3d. The latter regiment continued the pursuit as far 
as Aldie, where it encountered Bayard's brigade of cav- 
alry, from the defences of Washington, 2 and, retiring 
to the hills west of the village, awaited the arrival of 
the rest of the command. The advance was now given 
to the 4th Virginia Cavalry, which moved toward Aldie, 
meeting midway a column of the enemy charging up 
the narrow lane. A conflict between the heads of the 
opposing columns resulted in the retreat of the Fed- 
eral cavalry to the cover of their artillery, posted on 
the hills east of the village. Stuart's artillery had not 
been able to keep up with his rapid advance, but, ar- 
riving after a time, was placed in position and engaged 
the enemy. Stuart's advance to Aldie was made with 
the full knowledge that he thereby exposed his rear to 
attack from the direction of Pleasonton's command ; 
but, trusting to the vigilance of his scouts, he remained 
in General Bayard's front until nightfall, when he 
withdrew and bivouacked a few miles west of Middle- 
burg. General Bayard seems to have believed that he 
was opposed by a largely superior force. He states his 
own numbers at two thousand men, but says that one 
half of his command was absent on picket duty. He 

1 Sabres and Spurs, p. 1 70. 

2 Bayard's brigade consisted of the 1st New Jersey, 2d New York, 10th 
New York, and 1st Pennsylvania regiments of Cavalry, and Whiting's com- 
pany, D. C. Cavalry. A battery from Sigel's corps was present. To this 
force add about one hundred fugitives from the 1st Rhode Island Cavalry. 



THE BATTLE NEAR UNION. 171 

acknowledges that, being so far from any support, he 
retired two miles to a more secure position, leaving 
eight of his dead on the field. During the night he re- 
tired still farther, to his camp near Chantilly. 

While these movements were in progress, D. H. 
Hill's division had moved through Ashby's Gap, and 
was now encamped in the vicinity of Paris and Upper- 
ville. On the following morning, the 1st of November, 
Stuart's command was disposed so as to cover his front. 
Learning that the enemy was advancing upon Phile- 
mont, Stuart moved through Union to meet him. The 
fighting on this day was of comparatively little mo- 
ment, but its connection with the events of the two 
succeeding days gives it an importance that cannot be 
overlooked. After stating that he met the enemy a 
short distance in advance of Union, Stuart says in his 
report : — 

The enemy spent the remainder of the day in reconnoitring, 
displaying very little force, and in the skirmishing which took 
place our lines were advanced to the vicinity of Philemont. 

General Pleasanton says in his report : — 

On November 1st the" command moved forward and occu- 
pied Philemont, several hundred of Stuart's cavalry leaving 
about the time we entered. Colonel Gregg, with the 8th 
Pennsylvania and 3d Indiana Cavalry, pursued this cavalry 
and drove it very handsomely from some woods it attempted 
to hold ; but, the enemy bringing up his artillery, no further 
advance was made, except to silence the rebel guns by the fire 
of Pennington's battery. The rebels left five dead upon the 
field. Our loss was one killed, and one officer and thirteen 
men wounded. 

A fair interpretation of these extracts is, that Pleas- 
onton drove Stuart's advance-guard back upon his main 
body, which he declined to attack. Pleasonton's loss 
in so small a skirmish seems to have been unusually se- 



172 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

vere. We are inclined to discredit the number of rebel 
dead, because similar estimates made by General Pleas- 
onton on other occasions are so evidently excessive. 
The " silencing " of " hostile guns " by a destructive 
reportorial fire is an easy achievement, of which both 
Confederate and Federal generals were far too fond. 
Stuart as well as Pleasonton is open to this charge. 
Perhaps we should forgive them readily, for they wrote 
amid the heat and smoke of the conflict. 

Stuart retired at nightfall to feed his men and horses, 
but resumed the same line of battle early the next 
morning, the 2d of November. The second cavalry 
brigade, with which General Pleasonton was operating, 
consisted of four regiments, and was supported by 
Pennington's battery. Among his regimental com- 
manders were Colonel B. F. Davis, of the 8th New 
York, and Colonel D. M. Gregg, of the 8th Pennsylva- 
nia Cavalry. The brilliant career of Colonel Davis was 
cut short at the battle of Fleetwood, on the 9th of 
June, 1863 ; but Colonel Gregg and Lieutenant Pen- 
nington survived to attain distinction — the one, in 
command of a cavalry "division, the other, of a cavalry 
brigade. General Pleasonton did not lack in efficient 
subordinates. His command was reinforced on this day 
by the 2d brigade of Doubleday's division of infantry, 
under Lieutenant-Colonel J. W. Hofman, of the 56th 
Pennsylvania Volunteers. This brigade consisted of 
four regiments, three of which numbered, according to 
Colonel Hofman's statement, 700 men. It is fair to 
conclude that the brigade was not less than 900 strong. 
The 1st New Hampshire Battery accompanied it, and, 
added to Pennington's guns, gave Pleasonton the pre- 
ponderance of artillery. When it is remembered that 
Stuart crossed the mountains on the 30th of November 
with less than 1,000 men, it is apparent that he was on 



THE BATTLE NEAR UNION. 173 

this day opposed by forces more than double his own 
in numbers, — forces which were led by some of the 
best officers in the Federal cavalry service. 

The successful resistance which Stuart was enabled to 
oppose to the Federal advance was in great measure 
due to the skilful handling of his artillery. Two spir- 
its more congenial than Stuart and Pelham never met 
on the field of battle. Stuart's fondness for the use of 
artillery was almost excessive ; Pelham's skill in its 
management amounted to genius. Stuart and Pelham 
imparted to the horse artillery an independency of ac- 
tion and a celerity of movement which characterized it 
to the end of the war, and which was nowhere equalled 
or imitated, except in the same arm of the Federal 
service. The achievements of the batteries attached to 
both the Federal and Confederate cavalry are worthy 
of a separate record and of the careful attention of mil- 
itary men. 

The general agreement of the official reports of Gen- 
erals Stuart and Pleasonton and of Colonel Hofman is 
somewhat unusual. General Pleasonton says : — 

On November 2d my advance came up with the enemy at 
Union. They had some infantry supporting their guns, and 
very soon some sharp fighting began, which resulted in the 
blowing up of one of their caissons, by which a number of 
their men were killed, and their retreat for several miles on 
the road to Upperville. 

Lieutenant-Colonel Hofman, with a small brigade of in- 
fantry and a battery, reported to me for duty this morning 
from Doubleday's division. 

The fighting did not cease until after dark, the rebels giving 
way at every point. Their loss must have been considerable. 
One of their officers was left dead upon the field, and ten 
wounded fell into our hands, besides a number of prisoners. 
My loss in my own brigade was one man killed and twenty- 



174 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

six wounded. The infantry brigade lost five men killed and 
thirty wounded. 

Colonel Hofman corrects the statement of his loss by 
giving it at five men killed and twenty-three wounded. 
This makes Pleasanton's total loss fifty-five men. Of 
course General Pleasonton is in error in stating that 
Stuart was supported by infantry ; and the fact that he 
mistook Stuart's dismounted men for infantry may be 
regarded as a compliment to the steadiness of their 
conduct. Colonel Hofman's report corrects General 
Pleasonton's in several important particulars. He 
says : — 

I found General Pleasonton engaged with the enemy in 
front of the town of Philemont. The enemy were throwing 
shell with considerable rapidity. We, however, sustained no 
loss. General Pleasonton directed that two regiments of my 
brigade should skirmish through the wood on the left of the 
road leading to the town of Union. The 56th and 95th regi- 
ments were detailed for this duty. They were soon recalled, 
and I was directed by General Pleasonton to take the brigade 
to the front, advance through the town, and then hold it. The 
enemy had his cavalry posted in the town at the time, and had 
his artillery in front of it. After fording the. creek and as- 
cending the hill in our front, the brigade was formed in line of 
battle, and, with skirmishers thrown out, we advanced upon 
the town. We had proceeded about two hundred yards when 
General Pleasonton sent for a regiment to support a battery 
on our left and rear. The 76th regiment was detailed for 
this purpose. The line, now consisting of 700 men, passed 
on through the town, the enemy retiring, on our approach, 
to a hill one mile beyond the town. After passing through 
the town, I sent the 95th regiment and two companies of 
the 56th to take possession of a strip of wood on the left 
of the road and about three hundred yards to our front. 
Two companies of the 7th Indiana regiment were then sent to 
picket the roads leading into the town. I then sent a request 
to General Pleasonton to send forward a battery of artillery. 
General Pleasonton soon arrived in person, and brought the 



THE BATTLE AT UNION. 175 

artillery with him. He directed me to again move the brigade 
to the front, leaving the 76th regiment to picket the roads. 
As we advanced on the enemy they again opened on ns with 
shell, one of which struck the line of the 7th Indiana, killing 
the color sergeant and one color corporal and wounding a 
number of others. We then took possession of a wood beyond 
the church, on the left of the road, and awaited the arrival of 
the artillery. The enemy in the mean time continued throw- 
ing shell, causing a number of casualties. After our artillery 
had thrown a few shots at the enemy, they again retired to a 
position three fourths of a mile further on, toward the turn- 
pike leading to Upperville. We crossed the ravine in our 
front, and again advanced in line of battle upon the enemy, 
who soon reopened- on us with shell. As we were crossing an 
open field, a shell struck the line of the 56th regiment Penn- 
sylvania Volunteers, killing two men of company G and mor- 
tally wounding two others. 

I would be doing injustice to this regiment to omit mention- 
ing the prompt manner in which the gap formed by the loss of 
four men was closed ; not a single man left the line until per- 
mission to do so had been given. 

The brigade was placed in rear of a stone wall, and our artil- 
lery soon replied to the enemy. The 95th regiment was or- 
dered to go to the left and front, to support a section of artil- 
lery. They were soon reinforced by the 56th regiment. The 
enemy were now soon driven from their position, and it being 
quite dark the firing ceased on both sides. 

In the light of these reports Stuart's will be read 
with the greater interest. The difference in the esti- 
mates of General Stuart and Colonel Hofman as to the 
distance over which Stuart retired is not unnatural 
or irreconcilable, while General Pleasonton's statement 
that Stuart retreated " several miles on the road to 
Upperville " is as evidently inaccurate as many others 
which he has allowed to escape from his pen. Gen- 
eral Stuart says : — 

About eight o'clock the enemy began to deploy in our front 



176 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

both infantry and cavalry, with six or eight pieces of artillery. 
Our dispositions were made to receive him by posting artil- 
lery advantageously, and the cavalry dismounted behind the 
stone fences, which were here very numerous and consequently 
afforded the enemy as good shelter as ourselves. Having to 
watch all the avenues leading to my rear, my effective force 
for fighting was very much diminished, but the Stuart Horse- 
Artillery, under the incomparable Pelham, supported by the 
cavalry sharpshooters, made a gallant and obstinate resistance, 
maintaining their ground for the greater part of the day, both 
suffering heavily, one of our caissons exploding from the ene- 
my's shot. It was during this engagement that Major Pel- 
ham conducted a howitzer some distance beyond support to a 
neighboring hill, and opened a masked fire upon a body of the 
enemy's cavalry in the valley beneath, putting them to flight, 
capturing their flag and various articles, — their arms, equip- 
ments, and horses, as well as some prisoners, — sustaining in 
this extraordinary feat no loss whatever. The enemy finally 
enveloped our position with his superior numbers, both infantry 
and cavalry, so as to compel our withdrawal ; but every hill- 
top and every foot of ground was disputed, so that the enemy 
made progress of less than a mile during the day. The enemy 
were held at bay until dark at Seaton's Hill, which they as- 
sailed with great determination, but were each time signally 
repulsed by the well-directed fire of the horse artillery. 
Major Pelham, directing one of the shots himself at the color 
bearer of an infantry regiment, struck him down at a distance 
of eight hundred yards. During this withdrawal Captain 
Bullock, of the 5th Virginia Cavalry, by great presence of 
mind and bravery saved himself from capture in a very peril- 
ous position. 

At night I bivouacked the command east of Upperville, with 
the view of occupying as a line of battle the ground along the 
creek below the town. Some few of our wounded, who were 
so much disabled that they could not be moved, were left in 
hospital near Union, with surgeons and nurses. 

On the following day, the 3d of November, Gen- 
eral Pleasonton was still further reinforced by the 1st 
Cavalry brigade, under General Averell, and by Tid- 



THE AFFAIR AT UPPERVILLE. 177 

ball's battery, but no fresh troops came to Stuart's as- 
sistance. His only reinforcement was a battery loaned 
by General D. H. Hill, who had withdrawn from Upper- 
ville, and had moved his division through the gap 
toward Front Royal. A reconnoissance made by Cap- 
tain W. W. Blackford, engineer officer, disclosed the 
fact that McClellan's whole army was in motion south- 
ward. Stuart's instructions were, in such a case, to 
retire along the east side of the mountains, observing 
and delaying the enemy ; but, upon the urgent request 
of General D. H. Hill, who visited him at Upperville, 
Stuart determined to divide his command, and, sending 
a portion of it toward Piedmont, retire with the re- 
mainder to Ashby's Gap, where he expected to meet 
Hampton's brigade, thus keeping the gap open for the 
movement of Jackson's corps, for which General Hill 
desired to provide. 

Pleasonton advanced upon Stuart's new position at 
about nine o'clock a. m. He was met by Stuart in the 
manner of the previous day, and it was late in the 
afternoon before he gained possession of Upperville. 
As Stuart retired from this place he sent the 1st, 4th, 
and 5th Virginia Cavalry on the road to Piedmont, to 
constitute a rear-guard for his trains, and moved his 
two remaining regiments, the 3d and 9th, back toward 
Paris and Ashby's Gap. General D. H. Hill had left 
in the gap a small force of infantry, supporting a Whit- 
worth gun and some other pieces of artillery under 
Captain Hardaway. The Whitworth gun opened an 
effective fire on the enemy at long range. General 
Pleasonton mentions this gun, but calls it a ten-pounder 
Parrott. This same gun, under the same commander, 
was stationed on the extreme Confederate right at the 
battle of Fredericksburg, and greatly annoyed Burn- 
side's troops on the plain below. By one of its shells 

12 



178 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

General George D. Bayard, of the Federal cavalry, 
was killed. 

While retiring toward Upperville Colonel W. C. Wick- 
ham, commanding the brigade, was wounded in the 
neck, by a fragment of a shell. The command now 
devolved on Colonel T. L. Rosser, of the 5th Virginia 
Cavalry. 1 

1 However valuable the Comte de Paris' history may be as a treatise on 
military strategy, the greatest inaccuracies in regard to the details of the 
movements he narrates are apparent even to a careless student of the 
records. The following is the account which he gives, in his second volume, 
page 552, of Stuart's movements on the 2d and 3d of November. 

" Stuart pressed the latter [the Federals] very closely, sometimes re- 
maining on the crest of the Blue Ridge, where he could perceive their long 
columns from a distance, at other times descending into the valley which 
stretched out below him, and boldly disputing the ground with them when- 
ever he found an opportunity. His battery of artillery, almost entirely 
served by Europeans, was of powerful assistance to him in this kind of war- 
fare, and was remarkable for its precision of aim ; a very rare thing in the 
Southern armies. But, since the time when the inexperience of the Fed- 
eral cavalry made Stuart's task an easy one, his adversaries had learned 
much. Pleasonton and his brigade, who cleared McClellan's march, asked 
nothing better than to measure strength with the Confederate cavalry and 
revenge themselves for not having been able to catch them in their raid 
across Maryland. A favorable opportunity for accomplishing this presented 
itself to the Union troops on the 2d of November. While the 2d corps 
was occupying Snicker's Gap Pleasonton pushed forward in the direction of 
Ashby's Gap. At Union village he met a brigade of the enemy's cavalry, 
which he dislodged after a sharp fight. The next day, having been rein- 
forced by Averell, he continued his march. Stuart was waiting for him 
with his entire division, in front of the village of Upperville, determined 
to resist as long as he could, in order to defend the pass of Ashby's Gap. 
But the Federals attacked him so vigorously that he was soon overthrown 
and driven in disorder through Upperville as far as the village of Paris, at 
the very entrance of the pass." 

There are some expressions in this extract, and others on the page which 
follows the one from ■which this is taken, which clearly show that the noble 
author had read Stuart's report; and yet, with an utter disregard of the 
facts presented in it, he asserts that Stuart's " entire division " was present 
at Upperville, when in reality less than one thousand men from Fitz Lee's 
brigade were there. A comparison of Colonel Hofman's report with Gen- 
eral Stuart's shows that on the 2d of November this same little band resisted 
the advance of a brigade of infantry, a brigade of cavalry, and two bat- 
teries of artillery, and that in a fight which commenced at eight o'clock in 



THE AFFAIR AT UPPERVILLE. 179 

After Pleasonton had occupied Upperville he showed 
but little disposition to advance upon the gap beyond. 
Averell's brigade was, however, sent to Piedmont, 
following the road pursued by the three regiments 
which Stuart had sent to the same point. Anticipat- 
ing such a movement, and fearing for the safety of 
his trains, Stuart sent Rosser with his two remaining: 
regiments, the 3d and the 9th, after nightfall, by way 
of Paris to Piedmont. Major B. B. Douglass, of the 
5th Virginia Cavalry, commanded the three regiments 
which had been sent in the same direction from Upper- 
ville. Stuart retained with him only a picket, under 
Captain W. B. Wooldridge, of the 4th Virginia Cav- 
alry. He expected Hampton to reinforce him on this 
day, and knew that he could not be far distant. Find- 
ing that Jackson's troops were not in motion, and 
that Jackson himself was at Millwood, Stuart repaired 
thither to ascertain what change of plans had been 
made. He was informed by General Jackson that 
instead of following Longstreet's march he should re- 
main in the valley, so as to be on McClellan's flank. It 
was now no longer necessary for Stuart to hold Ashby's 
Gap, and he therefore ordered D. H. Hill's infantry and 

the morning and lasted until dark Stuart did not give up more than two 
miles of ground. Surely during this long day the Federal cavalry might 
have been given opportunity to cross sabres with the Confederates had 
Pleasonton been so anxious for it as the Comte de Paris represents. From 
Colonel Hofman's report one might even be led to suspect that his infantry 
did most of the fighting, and that the Federal cavalry were content to 
observe the field, or to advance dismounted side by side with his line of 
battle. 

The statement that Stuart's artillery was "almost entirely served by 
Europeans" will be a surprise to the surviving members of that organi- 
zation. Pelham, Henry, Hart, Breathed, McGregor, and Johnston were cer- 
tainly not of any European nationality, and the only foundation for this 
statement is, that one detachment of Pelham' s original battery consisted so 
largely of Frenchmen that it was known as the "French Detachment." 

The Comte de Paris' narrative of the fight at Upperville on the 3d, and 
at Barbee's Cross Roads on the 4th, is as erroneous as the above. 



180 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

artillery to rejoin his division at Front Royal, while 
Captain Wooldridge remained to picket the gap, with 
orders to retire in the same direction upon the advance 
of the enemy. Hampton's brigade reached Millwood 
on the evening of the 3d, and was ordered to Mark- 
ham's Station on the morning of the 4th, while Stuart 
himself, unaccompanied except by his staff, rode by a 
nearer but much more exposed route toward the same 
point. 

On the evening of the 3d, Major Douglass had occu- 
pied Piedmont, but through a misunderstanding of his 
orders had retired toward Markham's on the approach 
of Averell's brigade. As Rosser approached Piedmont 
in the night he found the town in the possession of 
the enemy, and was compelled to make a detour toward 
Markham's, between which place and Manassas Gap he 
found the regiments commanded by Major Douglass. 
Having thus reunited the brigade, Rosser moved for- 
ward to Markham's on the morning of the 4th, and 
offered battle to Averell. The reports of this affair 
are meagre. Stuart refers to it only by saying that 
the enemy advanced upon Rosser in such force that 
he was compelled to withdraw, but without suffering 
any serious loss ; and that the battery of horse artil- 
lery under Captain Henry behaved with conspicuous 
gallantry. Stuart was not present at this fight, and 
his report was written many months after its occur- 
rence. Rosser made no report of it. But we can 
glean some interesting items from the despatches of 
General Pleasonton, who, at 3.45 p. m. on this day, 
thus writes to General McClellan : " General Averell 
has sent for assistance at Markham, and reports having 
had a hard fight with Stuart. I am moving forward to 
reinforce him. It would be well to send some infantry 
here to-night." 



THE AFFAIR AT MARKHAWS STATION. 181 

An hour later he again writes : "I have sent Colonel 
Gregg and the 6th Cavalry to reinforce Averell at 
Markham. . . . Averell sends me word he had two 
guns and three hundred prisoners of Stuart's at one 
time, and then lost them. I expect he has had a hard 
fight, and as they can so easily throw infantry upon 
him through the gap, and the country is bad, I have 
advised him to be very careful." 

An hour still later he thus writes : " Averell's com- 
mand is, I fear, a good deal crippled, from his report. 
He does not give me his killed and wounded, but tells 
me one of his squadrons was overwhelmed by superior 
numbers." 

This is all that we can learn from the Official Eecords. 
There is, however, the unwritten tradition, among the 
Southern cavalry, that on this occasion two of the guns 
of Henry's battery, — one of which was the Napoleon 
afterwards distinguished at Fredericksburg, and manned 
by " The French Detachment," — were surrounded by 
the Federal cavalry, and attacked at the same time both 
in front and rear ; and that these gallant fellows, all 
the while singing the Marseillaise Hymn, fought their 
guns with unfaltering courage until relieved from their 
peril by a successful charge of one of Rosser's regi- 
ments. We give the story for what it is worth. Perhaps 
some of Averell's men may corroborate it. 

Rosser retired to Barbee's Cross Roads, where he was 
joined by Stuart and by Hampton's brigade on the 
night of the 4th. Here Stuart determined to give 
battle. He thus describes his position : — 

The crest of the hill immediately north of the town was 
occupied by our artillery and sharpshooters, with a view to 
rake the enemy's column as it moved up the road ; but the 
main position for defence was just at the Cross Roads, where 
the main body was held in reserve. 



182 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

Toward nine A. M. the enemy advanced, and a fierce engage- 
ment of artillery and sharpshooters ensued, lasting some hours. 
The enemy at length approached under cover of ravines and 
woods, and my command held the position near the Cross 
Roads, where our artillery had complete control of the ap- 
proaches. At this juncture I received information that the 
enemy was in Warrenton. This information, together with 
the delay and lack of vigor in the enemy's attack at this point, 
led me to believe that this was only a demonstration to divert 
my attention from his move on Warrenton. I accordingly 
gave orders to Hampton and Rosser to withdraw, the former 
by the Flint Hill road, the latter by the Orleans road, as the 
withdrawal of both by the same route would have been next 
to impossible. In withdrawing there was a sharp conflict be- 
tween the 1st North Carolina Cavalry, under Lieutenant-Colo- 
nel J. B. Gordon, and the enemy on the left, that regiment 
suffering a good deal. . . . The enemy made no pursuit. 

Colonel Gordon tells the story of this action as fol- 
lows : — 

I sent a courier to General Hampton reporting the position 
of the enemy. As he came up a squadron of Yankee cavalry 
dashed up along a stone fence in front. I asked him if I 
should charge them, stating to him at the same time that there 
was a large body of the enemy upon my right behind a stone 
fence, and that they had sharpshooters also posted there. He 
replied. No, there was no fence there ; that he had been there 
during the morning, and that it was open. He then ordered 
me to charge, the regiment being in a column of squadrons. I 
asked him if I should charge in squadron form. He replied, 
Yes, and that he would support me with the 2d South Car- 
olina regiment. I ordered the charge. The men moved out 
promptly, going at the men we could see. The enemy fled 
rapidly as soon as they discovered that we were charging them, 
passing through a narrow opening in the stone fence and going 
over a hill in rear. As we got near the fence we encoun- 
tered a broad ditch, concealed by grass and weeds, into which 
a number of horses fell, dismounting the riders. I ordered 
the men in front to pass through the opening in the fence in 



THE AFFAIR AT BARBEE'S CROSS ROADS. 183 

pursuit. A few only had passed when we received a wither- 
ing fire from one hundred and fifty dismounted men and one 
piece of artillery placed behind the stone fence on our right 
flank, running at right angles to the one in front. From this 
fire a number of men and horses were shot down. Seeing no 
chance to get at the enemy, and being exposed to a terrible 
fire from the sharpshooters and artillery, which were near by, 
I ordered the regiment to retire from that position by the left 
about wheel. As the squadrons were wheeling, to my surprise 
I saw a large body of cavalry charging upon us from the right, 
which had been concealed from view by a hill. The regiment 
fell back across the hill to the point from which it started, 
where it reformed, with the exception of some men who went 
into the road against orders. The enemy dashed up boldly, but 
did not enter the column, except three who were captured or 
killed. The 2d South Carolina regiment did not come to my 
support as promised. I have since learned that it was blocked 
in the road by the Cobb Legion. Major Deloney, of the Le- 
gion, came up with a few men, and he, in connection with 
Captain Cowles and Lieutenant Siler, of my command, made 
a dash at the enemy, when they ran back. 

I lost in this affair four men killed, seventeen wounded and 
captured. The captured men were dismounted at the ditch. 
The enemy report a loss of four men killed." 

General Pleasonton thus describes the same affair : — 

By this time I had advanced two sections of artillery to the 
position held by the rebels, where they first opened, and I 
soon discovered that Colonel Davis, of the 8th New York 
Cavalry, had a much superior force to his own to contend 
with, and that they were about to charge him in column of 
squadrons. I ordered the 3d Indiana to reinforce Davis, and 
opened a fire on the enemy's squadrons. Before, however, 
much was effected, Davis saw his situation, and dismounted 
one of his squadrons behind a stone wall, while he gallantly 
led the remainder of his regiment against the enemy to meet 
their charge. The result was very successful. The carbines 
of the dismounted squadron gave a galling flank and front fire, 
while the attack of the 8th New York routed the enemy, and 



184 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

sent them flying in all directions. Thirty-seven of the rebel 
dead were left on this field, and more than that number of 
arms, horses, and prisoners were captured. This part of their 
command retreated towards Chester Gap, and that from Bar- 
bee's Cross Roads took the Warrenton road. 

On this occasion the second brigade had contended with two 
rebel brigades (Hampton's and Lee's), the whole commanded 
by Stuart, and had driven them in confusion from their posi- 
tions with a severe loss. My own loss was five killed and 
eight wounded. 

On November 7 moved, with the first and second brigades, 
to Amissville, and was opened on by the rebels with artillery, 
on the Little Washington road, and also on the Jefferson road. 
Drove the rebels out of Jefferson and captured two guns ; 
also, three officers and ten men. 

The capture of these guns seems to have been ac- 
complished without any difficulty. General Stuart, 
however, makes mention of no such circumstance. 
Moreover, in his report of the battle near Micldleburg, 
on June 19, 1863, Stuart distinctly states that the 
Blakely gun which he was compelled to abandon on 
that field was the first which the horse artillery had 
lost during the war. This and other evidence 1 compels 
us to believe that the two guns mentioned by General 
Pleasonton belong to the same category with the thirty- 
seven dead North Carolinians found by him on the field 
at Barbee's Cross Roads. 

General Pleasonton continued to drive the rebels 
before him on the 8th and 9th of November, and fur- 
ther states that, — 

On November 10, the enemy from Culpeper attacked me in 

1 I have in my possession the diary of Lieutenant- Colonel W. R. Carter, 
of the 3d Virginia Cavalry, in which the losses sustained during these days 
of November, 1862, are recorded with much minuteness. He makes no 
mention of the loss of any artillery. Surviving officers of the Stuart Horse 
Artillery deny General Pleasonton' s claim, and reaffirm General Stuart's 
statement. 



THE AFFAIR AT AMISS VILLE. 185 

force with a brigade of infantry, one of cavalry and artillery, 
and at Corbin's Cross Roads drove in my pickets, and com- 
pelled me to concentrate my whole force to resist him. Sev- 
eral prisoners taken say that it was Longstreet making a 
reconnoissance to find out where our army lay. He did not 
succeed, as he was repulsed late in the afternoon with severe 
loss. Our loss was two men mortally and two severely 
wounded. General Sturgis, who was stationed at Amissville, 
quickly sent several of the regiments of his division to the 
right of the enemy to outflank them. This movement, doubt- 
less, had great effect in inducing the enemy to withdraw. 

General Stuart's explanation of this attack is as 
follows : — 

The enemy moved bver two brigades of infantry to Jeffer- 
sonton, and kept a large force of cavalry with a strong in- 
fantry support at Amissville. With a view to dislodge the 
latter I concerted a simultaneous attack with Hampton's and 
Lee's brigades on the enemy there, supported by two regi- 
ments of infantry, under Colonel Carnot Posey, of the 16th 
Mississippi. Hampton did not receive the orders in time to 
cooperate, but the remainder of the force advanced on the 
enemy, dislodging him from his position, and he was rapidly 
retiring when a large force of infantry came to his relief. The 
command was, therefore, leisurely returned to camp. 

The conduct of the Southern cavalry during this brief 
campaign was certainly creditable. General Stuart 
makes no undue claim when he says : — 

In all these operations I deem it my duty to bear testimony 
to the gallant and patient endurance of the cavalry, fighting 
every day most unequal conflicts, and successfully opposing 
for an extraordinary period the onward march of McClellan. 

The Stuart Horse Artillery comes in for a f ull share of this 
praise, and its gallant commander, Major John Pelham, exhib- 
ited a skill and courage which I have never seen surpassed. 
On this occasion I was more than ever struck with that ex- 
traordinary coolness and mastery of the situation which more 



186 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

eminently characterized this youthful officer than any other 
artillerist who has attracted my attention. His coup dlozil was 
accurate and comprehensive, his choice of ground made with 
the eye of military genius, and his dispositions always such 
in retiring as to render it impossible for the enemy to press us 
without being severely punished for his temerity. 

These words were penned nearly a year after the 
death of Pelham, and form no uninteresting tribute to 
the memory of one who seems to have won the hearts 
of all with whom he came in contact. Certainly no 
similar organization in the Army of Northern Virginia 
contained more officers who were distinguished by ex- 
cessive daring than did the cavalry division : yet, much 
as Stuart valued and admired them all, no one could 
to him supply the place of his " incomparable Pelham." 

While Stuart had been operating on the front of 
Lee's army in the movements which have just been 
described, the country between Warrenton and Freder- 
icksburg had been occupied by a force of cavalry under 
Colonel J. R. Chambliss, of the 13th Virginia Cavalry, 
who, in addition to his own regiment, appears to have 
commanded the 15th Virginia Cavalry and the 2d 
North Carolina Cavalry, the latter regiment tempora- 
rily under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel W. H. 
Payne of the 4th Virginia Cavalry. These regiments 
had not as yet been assigned to Stuart's command. 1 

1 On the 10th of November, 1862, the cavalry brigades were reorganized 
by Special Orders No. 238, from the Headquarters of the Army of North- 
ern Virginia. This order may be found in tbe Official Records, in the pre- 
liminary print of Confedei'ate reports of that date, page 626. The brigades 
were arranged as follows : — 

Hampton's Brigade. Fitzhugh Lee's Brigade. 

1st South Carolina Cavalry, 1st Virginia Cavalry, 

2d South Carolina Cavalry, 2d Virginia Cavalry, 

1st North Carolina Cavalry, 3d Virginia Cavalry, 

Cobb Georgia Legion, 4th Virginia Cavalry. 
Phillips Georgia Legion. 



ORGANIZATION OF THE CAVALRY DIVISION. 187 

On the 7th of November General McClellan was re- 
lieved of the command of the Army of the Potomac, 
and General Burnside was appointed in his place. This 
change of commanders produced a short period of inac- 
tion, after which the Federal army was moved toward 
Fredericksburg only to find itself again confronted by 
its vigilant adversary. W. H. F. Lee's brigade guarded 
the lower Rappahannock, while Hampton and Fitz Lee 
picketed the river above. The interval of time which 
elapsed before the battle of Fredericksburg furnished 
the opportunity for some successful reconnoissances by 
the cavalry. 

On the 27th of November Brigadier-General Wade 
Hampton, with two hundred and eight men from his 
brigade, crossed the Rappahannock at Kelly's Ford, 
and proceeded through Morrisville toward Hartwood 
Church or the Yellow Chapel. His march was made 
by unfrequented country roads, and avoided all of the 

W. H. F. Lee's Brigade. W. E. Jones' Brigade. 

5th Virginia Cavalry, 6th Virginia Cavalry, 

9th Virginia Cavalry, 7th Virginia Cavalry, 

10th Virginia Cavalry, 12th Virginia Cavalry, 

loth Virginia Cavalry, 17th Battalion Virginia Cavalry, 

2d North Carolina Cavalry. 35th Battalion Virginia Cavalry. 

The Jeff Davis Legion Cavalry was detached from Hampton's brigade 
for service with General Longstreet, but returned to its proper place within 
a few weeks. Colonel W. H. F. Lee, of the 9th Virginia Cavalry, was pro- 
moted as brigadier-general. Colonel T. T. Munford, who had so ably com- 
manded Robertson's brigade since tbe Second Manassas, was transferred 
with bis regiment to Fitzhugh Lee's brigade. Colonel W. E. Jones, of the 
7tb Virginia Cavalry, was promoted as brigadier-general, and assigned to 
Robertson's brigade. Jones' .brigade remained in tbe Valley of Virginia 
until the following May, and only rejoined the cavalry division in time to 
participate in the battle of the 9th of June, 1863. At this latter date the 
17tb battalion bad been increased to a regiment, and was then and after- 
wards known as tbe 11th Virginia Cavajry, under Colonels L. L. Lomax and 
O. R. Funsten. In a subsequent arrangement tbe 15th Virginia Cavalry 
was taken from W. H. F. Lee's brigade, and was replaced by tbe 13th Vir- 
ginia Cavalry, Colonel J. R. Chambliss. 



188 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

enemy's pickets. He thus succeeded in reaching at 
nightfall a point within two miles of Hartwood Church, 
where was stationed the reserve of the Federal pick- 
ets, who, though warned that an attack was probable, 
were entirely ignorant of his proximity. At four 
o'clock on the morning of the 28th Hampton moved 
out from his noiseless bivouac, and, gaining the rear 
of the Federal squadrons, surprised them in their camp 
and captured the entire party without the loss of a 
man. Four Federal soldiers were left in the camp so 
badly wounded that they could not be removed ; but 
eighty-two prisoners, including five commissioned offi- 
cers, with their horses and equipments, were securely 
landed within the Confederate lines. The Federal 
picket consisted of two squadrons of the 3d Pennsylva- 
nia Cavalry, commanded by Captain George Johnson. 
General Averell's report confesses the full magnitude of 
this disaster, and indignantly blames Captain Johnson 
for it. At the same time he estimates Hampton's force 
at seven or eight hundred men, and states that he 
marched through the country, avoiding all pickets and 
roads. Under these circumstances Captain Johnson 
was perhaps more to be pitied than blamed. 

On the 1st of December, Major T. Weller, of the 9th 
Virginia Cavalry, crossed the Eappahannock near Port 
Royal, with sixty men from his regiment, and captured 
a Federal picket consisting of two commissioned officers 
and forty-seven men. 

On the 10th of December General Hampton started 
from his camp in Culpeper County with five hundred 
and twenty men, on a reconnoissance to the north of 
Fredericksburg. His object was to reach Dumfries and 
then sweep the road northward to Occoquan. This 
expedition was successful, although it was accomplished 
under circumstances which severely taxed' the strength 



HAMPTON'S RAID TO DUMFRIES. 189 

and endurance of his troops. Snow lay on the ground 
to the depth of several inches, and for three days and 
nights Hampton's men were exposed to severities of 
winter such as they had never before experienced. 

Having marched sixteen miles before daylight on 
the morning of the 12th, Hampton surprised Dumfries 
and captured over fifty prisoners and twenty-four sut- 
ler's wagons. His further progress toward Occoquan 
was arrested by the discovery that General Sigel's 
corps occupied that road. Leaving Dumfries with his 
captures at eight o'clock in the morning, Hampton re- 
turned to Morrisville, where he encamped for the night, 
after his long march of forty miles. On the following 
morning everything was safely brought across the Rap- 
pahannock. No loss or casualty occurred during this 
expedition. 

On the 17th of December General Hampton made 
another successful reconnoissance in the same direction. 
Crossing the Rappahannock at the railroad bridge, he 
bivouacked at Cole's Store on the night of the 17th, 
and reached Neabsco Creek at daylight on the 18th, 
where he surrounded and captured two picket posts. 
Dividing his command into three columns, Hampton 
rapidly moved upon Occoquan, where he found a train 
of wagons belonging to Sigel's corps in the act of cross- 
ing the river from the north side. Lieutenant- Colonel 
Martin, of the Jen Davis Legion, dismounted some men, 
and forced the wagon guard, who were on the north side, 
to surrender and come over on the ferry-boat. Having 
effected this capture the work of bringing over the wag- 
ons was at once commenced. This was, however, neces- 
sarily slow, as there was but one small boat at the ferry, 
and the approaches to the river on either side were bad. 
While thus engaged the enemy appeared on the north 
side. The 17th Pennsylvania Cavalry and two companies 



190 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

of the 6th Pennsylvania Cavalry, under the command of 
Colonel R. H. Rush, of the 6th Pennsylvania, were on 
the march from Washington to the Army of the Poto- 
mac, and at this moment approached the Occoquan. 
A part of this force threatened the ferry, while the 
larger part attempted to force a passage at Selectman's 
Ford, and thus gain Hampton's rear. 1 But Selectman's 
Ford was held by Captain T. H. Clark, of the 2d South 
Carolina Cavalry, with forty men from his own regi- 
ment and from the Phillips Legion, and the efforts of 
the enemy to dislodge him were not successful. The 
work of ferrying over the captured wagons was, how- 
ever, so slow that Hampton felt that he would incur 
unjustifiable risk in attempting to complete it. He 
therefore withdrew from the town, bringing with him 
one hundred and fifty prisoners, twenty wagons laden 
with valuable stores, thirty stands of infantry arms, 
and one stand of colors. Captain Clark held his posi- 
tion at Selectman's Ford for one hour after the rest of 
the command had retired, and although followed by 
the enemy, successfully protected the rear of Hamp- 
ton's column. On the 19th Hampton returned to his 
camp without the loss of a man. 

The battle-field of Fredericksburg offered but little 
opportunity for the use of cavalry. .Hampton was, 
as we have seen, engaged on his expedition to Dum- 
fries. Fitz Lee's brigade watched the fords of the 
Rappahannock on the Confederate left, above Freder- 
icksburg. W. H. F. Lee's brigade extended the Con- 
federate right as far as Massaponax Creek. To this 
part of the line, as being of the greater importance, 
Stuart gave his personal presence. Neither he nor any 
of his subordinate commanders made report of this bat- 
tle. The following extract from a letter written to his 

1 Annals of 6th Penn. Cavalry. By Rev. S. L. Gracey, Chaplain, p. 119. 



,1 



FREDERICKSBURG. 191 

mother on the 17th of December, by Lieutenant R. 
Charming Price, of Richmond, Va., furnishes the most 
interesting and perhaps the most accurate narrative of 
General Stuart's movements which it is possible to ob- 
tain at this day. At the time of this battle Lieutenant 
Price was aid-de-camp to General Stuart. He was sub- 
sequently promoted to the position of major and assist- 
ant adjutant-general of the cavalry division. He was 
wounded on the 1st of May following, near the Old 
Furnace, during Jackson's movement around Hooker at 
Chancellorsville, and died within an hour after receiving 
the wound. General Stuart thus wrote to his bereaved 
mother : — 

The dear boy fell at my side, displaying the same devotion 
to duty and abnegation of self which signalized his whole 
career. As an adjutant-general he had no superior, and his 
reputation as an able and efficient staff-officer had already 
spread through the army. Many have been the expressions of 
regret and sympathy from officers of all grades, even the 
highest. 

Channing Price's letter presents so vivid a picture of 
the battle-field from an unmilitary stand-point that on 
this account alone it would be worth preservation. 

Thursday morning (the 11th), sometime before day, I was 
aroused by the heavy cannonading in the direction of Freder- 
icksburg, it having commenced some time before I heard it. 
About sunrise we got up, and, as soon as we could get break- 
fast, started for the front, General Stuart having gone on a 
little before us to General R. E. Lee's headquarters. We 
found Generals Lee, Longstreet, Stuart, and some others, on 
a very commanding hill to the right of the Telegraph Road, 
and the fog was so dense that we could only conjecture what 
was going on from the other side of the river. After a while 
the fog began to lift, and just then General Stuart sent me 
back to headquarters to get more couriers. On my return 
everything was perfectly clear, and soon afterward commenced 



192 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

the grand bombardment of the town. Such a cannonading I 
never heard before, one hundred or more guns to the minute. 
All the batteries were in full view, and until nearly night this 
continued — the whole being done to drive out one brigade 
(Barksdale's), which was keeping them from getting across. 
A little before sunset they succeeded in getting a number of 
troops across in boats, and Barksdale, not being able longer to 
hold the bank, withdrew his men to this side of the town, 
having inflicted a tremendous loss on the enemy, and having 
made him show his desire to cross at Fredericksburg. They 
had succeeded also in getting two bridges over below the town, 
and we went to headquarters to sleep, knowing that the enemy 
were crossing in heavy force. 

Friday morning (the 12th) we went out again to our same 
position, but the fog was very thick. About the middle of the 
day, General Stuart having gone towards our right wing, I 
rode along the lines in that direction to find him. After pass- 
ing Pickett's, McLaw's, and Hood's divisions, we came upon 
the left of Jackson's corps (which had come up during the 
night), consisting of Pender's brigade of A. P. Hill's division. 
I rode to the position of the Letcher Battery. Generals Lee 
and Jackson were there, watching the troops who were march- 
ing from the bridges and taking position on the left as they 
came up. General Lee told me that General Stuart had gone 
out to our skirmish line to examine the enemy more closely, 
and pretty soon he came galloping back and joined General 
Lee. We then rode back to General Hood's position. Before 
returning to camp I wrote a note to General Fitz Lee (be- 
tween Spottsylvania Court House and Beaver Dam) to bring 
the main portion of his command and unite with General W. 
H. F. Lee during the night on the Bowling Green and Freder- 
icksburg road near Hamilton's Crossing. Next day (the 13th) 
we had breakfast sometime before daylight, and made our way 
to Hamilton's Crossing, near which we found the cavalry. 
The enemy were very near the junction of the Bowling Green 
and Hamilton's Crossing roads, as we found out by riding in 
the field, when their sharpshooters opened on us. We then 
went on the hill to the left of the Crossing (A. P. Hill's ex- 
treme right), where were Pegram's battery and Jim Ellett's 



FREDERICKSBURG. 193 

section. While there the fog rose and revealed the enemy 
coming up in beautiful style, forming line of battle, planting 
batteries, etc. I then galloped out to where General Stuart 
was (at the junction of the two roads named above), and there 
Major Pelham had come up with one gun of llenry's horse 
artillery. The enemy were in dense masses advancing straight 
towards our line of battle, and Pelham was exactly on their 
left flank with his gun, with no support whatever. He opened 
on them with solid shot, and though most of them went 
amongst the infantry, one blew up a caisson for the Yankees. 
They now opened about fifteen or twenty guns on Pelham ; 
but he had splendid shelter, and only had one man wounded, 
I think. He kept up his fire until he was ordered to cease so. 
that they might come up closer. Not a gun in our long line 
from Fredericksburg to Hamilton's Crossing had yet fired ; 
only Pelham with his Napoleon, and soon afterwards a Blakely 
nearer the railroad. General Lee expressed his warm admira- 
tion for Major Pelham's distinguished gallantry, but said that 
the young major-general (alluding to Stuart) had opened on 
them too soon. Everything was now quiet along our line. 
The rest of Jackson's corps (D. H. Hill's division and Brown's 
artillery) had gotten up and were in reserve. The enemy's 
field batteries and his heavy guns across the river commenced 
to shell in every direction to find our position. The hill on 
which Pegram and Ellett were came in for a large share of the 
shelling ; and it was now that Jim Ellett was killed, long be- 
fore his battery had fired a gun. I saw his body at the Cross- 
ing soon after. All of us except the general now got out of 
the way to the right of the railroad until the fight should 
commence in earnest. General Stuart remained where he 
could see plainly when the enemy began to move, so that he 
might know when to begin his work, which was to bring to 
bear a large number of guns and break the left flank of the 
enemy. So soon as they began to advance, Lindsey Walker's 
guns on the hill opened on their infantry, and Pelham moved 
into the field to the right of the railroad, with twelve or fif- 
teen rifle guns, and opened an enfilading fire. We now all 
joined the general, who was near Pelham, and the fight began 
in earnest. Time and again we strained over the field to Gen- 
13 



194 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

eral Jackson, the Lees, and Pelham. Once when I galloped 
into Major Pelham's batteries to order him to advance his 
guns and enfilade the enemy, who was now recoiling from the 
tierce shock of A. P. Hill's gallant men, I recognized the boys 
at the old gun which I have assisted so often to work. In a 
minute they pulled off their caps and cheered me until I left 
the place. Pelham was standing between White's and Wake- 
ham's guns, and the shells were crashing in every direction. 
This was the last time I saw poor Jim Utz, as he was struck 
soon afterwards and instantly killed. Pelham continued to ad- 
vance his guns as the enemy retreated, pouring in an enfilading 
fire all the time. After reaching the protection of their batter- 
ies, the enemy were reorganized by bringing up fresh lines, and 
again presented their front. A Parrott gun of the 2d Howitzers 
and one of the Powhatan battery now crossed the Bowling 
Green road and opened a very destructive fire on their flank 
(under the direction of Colonel Rosser), Major Pelham com- 
manding the others. I went to General Jackson to apprise 
him of this change, and when I returned, the neighborhood of 
those two guns was, I think, the hottest place from artillery 
fire that I have ever been in. Just as I entered the field (a 
caisson having been blown up a few minutes before), when 
going up a slippery bank, a shell struck very close to my 
horse, and, rearing up, he rolled over me in the ditch. For a 
moment I thought he was struck ; but he soon recovered him- 
self and I found it was merely fright. Galloping to the gen- 
eral, I found him looking on with his usual coolness. He soon 
started towards the Crossing, and on our way met the two 
Parrotts I have mentioned above leaving the field. The gen- 
eral was very much displeased at first, but Colonel Rosser 
made matters all right by telling him that it was useless to 
stay there, a great many horses having been killed, men 
wounded, and ammunition nearly exhausted. 

Sunday we were up before day and off for the field. 
Everything was quiet ; the enemy lay in full view and reach 
of our guns all day ; but not a shot was fired from us, 
General Lee hoping that they would again make the attack. 
Monday the same programme was carried out, and I spent 



FREDERICKSB URG. 195 

most of the day with the boys of the rifle section of my old 
corps. 

The gallantry and efficiency of the services rendered 
by Major John Pelham in this battle have been consid- 
ered worthy of especial commendation. General R. E. 
Lee and General Jackson were present together on the 
extreme Confederate right, and were eye-witnesses of 
the contest between Pelham's Napoleon and the Fed- 
eral batteries. Both of these great generals in their 
reports bestow distinguished praise upon the young ar- 
tillerist. The immediate effect of his fire was to stop 
the advance of Meade's division, whose ranks he enfi- 
laded, until the arrival of Doubleday's division, which, 
facing to the left, advanced to protect the flank of 
Meade. The Federal reports show that the fire of not 
less than five batteries, attached to Meade's and Double- 
day's divisions, was turned upon this one gun ; 1 but 
Pelham maintained his ground for at least an hour, 
and retired only when ordered to a new and more im- 
portant position, where a large number of guns was 
placed under his command. 2 John Esten Cooke has 
recorded the incident, which is no doubt authentic, 
that, on the day following the battle, Jackson said to 
Stuart : 3 " Have you another Pelham, General ? If so, 
I wish you would give him to me ! " 

1 Meade's, Doubleday's, Lieutenant Stewart's, Lieutenant Edgell's, and 
Captain Reynolds' reports. 

2 Sergeant Reuben B. Pleasants, of the second company of the Richmond 
Howitzer Battalion, has, in a publication entitled Contributions to a History 
of the Richmond Howitzer Battalion, claimed for a gun belonging to his com- 
pany the honor which has been accorded to Pelham's Napoleon. This 
claim has been sufficiently refuted in the Southern Historical Society Papers, 
vol. xii. p. 466. Sergeant Pleasants has, however, done well in calling at- 
tention to the fact, which is also mentioned in Channing Price's letter, that 
his gun ami another were, at a later hour, advanced by Rosser to a position 
not far from and probably in advance of the spot where Pelham opened 
the battle with his Napoleon. 

8 Surry of Eayle's Nest, p. 373. 



196 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

Although the Federal army had been warned by 
Hampton's expeditions of the danger to which their 
line of communications along the Potomac was exposed, 
Stuart determined to keep up the system of irritation. 
He therefore organized an expedition, known among 
his men as the Dumfries Raid, which, although unpro- 
ductive of any great material results, illustrates the 
facility with which a bold leader may move a large 
body of cavalry in an enemy's country, striking heavy 
blows where weak points present themselves, and avoid- 
ing dangers which are too serious to be encountered. 

The line of communication between Fredericksburg 
and Alexandria was no longer insecurely guarded, as 
when Hampton made his last descent upon it. A bri- 
gade of infantry and detachments from two cavalry 
regiments under Colonel A. Schimmelfennig occupied 
Aquia where the Telegraph Road crosses Aquia Creek. 
A brigade of cavalry under Colonel De Cesnola lay 
within supporting distance of the same place. Scouting 
parties from this post reached as far west as Stafford 
Springs, and Colonel Schimmelfennig was aware of the 
presence of Confederate patrols at that point on the 24th 
and 25th of December. At Dumfries, Colonel Charles 
Candy commanded a brigade of infantry, together with 
the 1st Maryland Cavalry and six companies of the loth 
Illinois Cavalry and a battery of artillery. Patrols and 
pickets from this post were sent out southward to Chopa- 
wamsic Creek and westward toward Brentsville. A bri- 
gade of infantry occupied Wolf Run Shoals, 1 and the line 
of the Occoquan eastward from this point was guarded 
by the 2d and 17th Pennsylvania Cavalry. To this force 
was intrusted the safety of the road from Neabsco Creek 
to the Occoquan. The remainder of the cavalry brigade 
to which these regiments belonged, and which was com- 

1 Colonel R. Butler Price's Report. 



THE DUMFRIES RAID.. 197 

manded by Colonel R. Butler Price, extended a line of 
pickets from Wolf Run Shoals to Manassas Junction, 
where it connected with the pickets of the brigade of 
cavalry commanded by Colonel Percy Wyndham, who 
was encamped at Chantilly, and who in turn connected 
with another force of cavalry at Dranesville. Within 
this line of outposts a brigade of infantry was posted at 
Union Mills, another at Fairfax Court House, while a 
considerable force of infantry occupied the railroad at 
Fairfax Station. As soon as the news of Stuart's attack 
upon Dumfries was known at Washington, three regi- 
ments of infantry, with cavalry and artillery, were 
moved from the vicinity of Alexandria to Annandale, 
and a similar force was stationed midway between 
Fairfax Court House and Falls Church. Around and 
between these numerous posts Stuart led his command, 
avoiding forces which would have endangered him, and 
quickly overpowering such resistance as he chose to en- 
counter. 

On the afternoon of the 26th of December, 1,800 
cavalry, commanded by Generals Hampton, Fitz Lee, 
and W. H. F. Lee, crossed the Rappahannock at 
Kelly's Ford, and encamped for the night at Morris- 
ville. Early on the following morning the command 
moved toward the Potomac. Stuart's plan was to 
strike the Telegraph Road at three points between 
Aquia Creek and the Occoquan ; then, sweeping north- 
ward, to reunite his forces wherever the events of the 
day might determine. Fitz Lee was accordingly di- 
rected to strike the Telegraph Road north of the Chopa- 
wamsic and move northward to Dumfries, while W. H. 
F. Lee was sent directly to the latter place. Hampton 
was directed upon Occoquan. A march of more than 
twenty miles was necessary before any serious contact 
with the enemy could be expected, and the larger part 



198 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

of the clay was expended before any of the detachments 
reached the points of attack. Fitz Lee struck the Tel- 
egraph Road just north of Chopawamsic Creek, and 
moved toward Dumfries, capturing wagons and prison- 
ers. W. H. F. Lee reached Dumfries, having captured 
a number of pickets. He found the place strongly de- 
fended, but caused the enemy to withdraw all of his 
forces to the north bank of the Quantico. When Fitz 
Lee arrived, Stuart at first determined to make a seri- 
ous attack. The 2d and 3d Virginia Cavalry were di- 
rected to move against the front of the enemy by the 
Telegraph Road, while the 1st and 5th Virginia Cavalry 
crossed the fords above and engaged in a mounted 
charge. Before this movement became serious, Stuart 
discovered that the statements of the prisoners whom 
he had captured were correct, and that the town was 
held by a force of infantry and cavalry whose numbers 
exceeded his own at this point. Fitz Lee's attack was 
therefore converted into a demonstration which should 
occupy the attention of the enemy until darkness might 
cover withdrawal and prevent pursuit. In this affair 
the detachment from the 5th Virginia Cavalry was 
principally engaged. Early in the action, Captain J. N. 
Bullock, who had led the dismounted men, received 
mortal wounds, and was carried from the field. Lieu- 
tenant James P. Bayly succeeded to the command, 
and, under orders from Colonel Rosser, charged across 
the creek, driving back the infantry skirmishers of the 
enemy and capturing eleven of their number. Lieu- 
tenant Bayly held the position he had gained until 
dark, when he was withdrawn. The whole command 
now moved out on the Brentsville road, and encamped 
for the night in the vicinity of Cole's Store. The loss 
inflicted on the Federal command at Dumfries, as shown 
by the reports, was 3 killed, 12 wounded, and 68 missing. 



THE DUMFRIES RAID. 199 

While the two Lees were thus occupied, Hampton 
had pursued his longer march to Occoquan, which he 
reached about sunset. Colonel M. C. Butler charged 
into the town, and drove from it a detachment of the 
17th Pennsylvania Cavalry, capturing 8 wagons and 
19 prisoners. Hampton now withdrew and joined the 
other brigades at Cole's Store. During the night the 
captured wagons and prisoners, together with two 
guns, whose ammunition was exhausted, were sent 
back to the Rappahannock, under the escort of a squad- 
ron of the 9th Virginia Cavalry. 

Early on the 28th Stuart moved forward to the 
Occoquan. At Greenwood Church, Colonel M. C. But- 
ler, with 150 men of the 2d South Carolina Cavalry, 
was detached, with orders to go to Bacon Race Church 
and endeavor to capture a body of the enemy re- 
ported to be at that point. Butler encountered cav- 
alry pickets about a mile from the church and drove 
them back upon their support, which he found to con- 
sist of a considerable force of cavalry and two pieces 
of artillery. He had been instructed that the rest of 
the command would advance in the same direction, on 
a parallel road, and join him in the vicinity of Bacon 
Race Church. He therefore maintained his position in 
front of the force he had engaged, although exposed to 
a severe fire from the enemy's artillery. But events 
had carried the larger part of the Southern cavalry in 
another direction, and Butler in vain awaited the attack 
which he momentarily expected to be made by his 
friends, in which he was prepared to join. Not deem- 
ing it prudent longer to remain in his isolated position, 
he attempted to withdraw toward Brentsville by the 
same road on which he had advanced. He had moved 
but a short distance when he found this road occupied 
by a large force of the enemy. Thus enclosed in front 



200 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

and rear, his position was critical ; but by making a 
detour of three or four miles he eluded his enemies and 
safely rejoined his brigade at Selectman's Ford. Both 
Stuart and Hampton bestow praise on Butler for the 
manner in which he extricated his command. 

At a short distance from Greenwood Church, where 
Butler had separated from the main column, the ad- 
vance of Fitz Lee's brigade had encountered the enemy's 
cavalry. Captain Chauncey, of the 2d Pennsylvania 
Cavalry, and Major Reinholt, of the 17th Pennsylvania 
Cavalry, with about 150 men from each of these two 
regiments, had crossed Selectman's Ford at daylight 
on the 28th, to discover what had become of the 
enemy who had attacked Occoquan on the previous 
evening. It appears from the reports that Captain 
Chauncey was in command of this party. He followed 
the trail made by Hampton's command until he reached 
the vicinity of Greenwood Church, where he was 
charged by the 1st Virginia Cavalry. Colonel R. But- 
ler Price, commanding brigade of Federal cavalry, states 
in his report that the 2d Pennsylvania was deserted by 
the 17th Pennsylvania at the first fire, and that the 
whole command was routed and pursued for two miles 
north of Selectman's Ford. Stuart claims to have cap- 
tured more than 100 prisoners, while the incomplete 
Federal returns show a total loss of 115. 

A-t Selectman's Ford the ejiemy was tempted by the 
narrow and difficult nature of the ford to make a stand. 
Dismounted men were posted on the north bank, and 
an effort was made to hold the ford. The long chase 
from Greenwood Church had now brought the 5th Vir- 
ginia Cavalry to the front. Without hesitation Colonel 
Rosser ordered his regiment to cross the creek. The 
charge was of necessity made by file ; but it was exe- 
cuted with such spirit that Rosser suffered no loss, and 



THE DUMFRIES RAID. 201 

quickly dispersed the enemy. The 3d Virginia Cavalry 
now took the lead, and continued the pursuit until the 
camp of the 3d Pennsylvania Cavalry was uncovered. 
This was speedily destroyed by the regiments which fol- 
lowed the 3d. 

When the whole of his command was collected north 
of the Occoquan, Stuart sent a detachment, under Hamp- 
ton, toward the village of Occoquan, which encountered 
and drove back a small party of the enemy. The pur- 
suit was not continued on account of the darkness. 
Captain Dickenson, of the 2d Virginia Cavalry, was sent 
toward Wolf Run Shoals. He met a patrol of Major 
Stagg's cavalry command, captured a wagon and three 
prisoners, and drove the enemy back upon the infantry 
at the Shoals. 

Stuart now directed his march northward to the rail- 
road, which he struck at Burke's Station. The telegraph 
office was surprised and captured before the operator 
could give the alarm. Stuart always carried with him 
an accomplished telegraph operator, and he now had 
the satisfaction of receiving official information from 
General Heintzl email's headquarters in Washington con- 
cerning the dispositions which were being made to inter- 
cept him. After gaining the information he needed, he 
caused his operator to send a message to General M. C. 
Meigs, Quartermaster-General, at Washington, in which 
he complained that the quality of the mules recently 
furnished to the army w T as so inferior as greatly to em- 
barrass him in moving his captured wagons. 'Having 
thus revealed his locality, the telegraph wire was cut, 
and he moved on. While waiting at Burke's Station 
General Fitz Lee was sent to destroy the railroad bridge 
over the Accotink. He took with him Lieutenant John 
Lee and Surgeon J. B. Fontaine of his staff, and ten 
men. He destroyed the bridge and safely rejoined his 



202 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

brigade, bringing with him a lieutenant and three men, 
captured from one of the enemy's pickets. 

From the information he had received Stuart con- 
ceived that it might be possible to surprise and cap- 
ture the post of Fairfax Court House. He therefore 
marched direct to that point; but when within about 
a mile of the town his advance was stopped by a vol- 
ley from infantry and artillery, which showed that the 
enemy was in force and on the alert. 1 While still main- 
taining the semblance of an attack, he turned off the 
rear of his column to the right without the least de- 
lay, and crossing the turnpike between Fairfax Court 
House and Annandale, marched to Vienna. Here he 
turned westward to Frying Pan, wjiich he reached at 
daybreak, and fed and rested for some hours. Thence 
by easy marches he returned through Middleburg and 
Warrenton to Culpeper Court House, which he reached 
on the 31st of December. 

His loss on the expedition was 1 killed, 13 wounded, 
and 14 missing. The captured sutlers' wagons proved 
capable of inflicting nearly as much damage as the 
rifles of the enemy. The Federal loss exceeded 200 
men. About twenty wagons and sutlers' teams were 
captured. 

1 The following extract from the Diary of Lieutenant- Colonel W. R. Car- 
ter, of the 3d Virginia Cavalry, will be recognized as a correct picture by 
those who participated in this affair : — 

"Reaching the Little River Turnpike, the division turned down toward 
Fairfax Court House, and on arriving within a mile of that place the ene- 
my's infantry, in ambush, opened on the head of our column, fortunately 
killing only two horses and wounding one man very slightly. We made no 
reply to their fire, and only withdrew out of musket-range; whereupon the 
enemy, not knowing how to interpret it, and thinking it might be a party 
of their own men, sent a flag of truce to ask whether we were friends or 
foes. They were told that they would be answered in the morning. On 
this being reported back they began to shell the turnpike; but in the in- 
terim we had built camp-fires, as if about to encamp for the night, and had 
left, taking a cross-road towards Vienna. 



CHAPTER XIII 

KELLYSVILLE. 

It has been customary to designate the battle near 
Kelly's Ford, on the 17th of March, 1863, as the first 
of the battles between the horsemen of the Army of 
the Potomac and those of the Army of Northern Vir- 
ginia. As regards the Southern cavalry this battle 
differed from those of the previous fall in that it was 
fought almost entirely on horseback, and in the ear- 
lier part of it entirely without the support of artil- 
lery. As regards the Federal cavalry, the novel feat- 
ures were, that a larger force than usual was concen- 
trated under one commander, and that an advance was 
made into the enemy's country beyond the hope of 
assistance from their infantry. That they should have 
returned from such an expedition without suffering se- 
rious loss, and after having crossed sabres with their 
adversaries in hand to hand fight, was considered a 
matter of congratulation, and perhaps justly ; for up 
to this time the Federal cavalry certainly labored under 
such stigma as was placed upon it in President Lincoln's 
letter to General McClellan, which has been quoted in 
a previous chapter. The expedition itself was barren 
of results, unless, as some claim, it improved the morale 
of the Federal cavalry. It certainly added nothing 
enviable to the reputation of the brigadier-general in 
command, whose conduct has even called forth a weak 
animadversion from that most partial of historians M. 



204 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

le Comte cle Paris. 1 A candid examination of the facts 
as disclosed in the official records will justify these 
statements. 

On the 9th of February Fitz Lee's brigade broke up 
camp in Caroline County, where it had been stationed 
since the battle of Fredericksburg, and moved to Cul- 
peper Court House, where, on the 12th, it relieved 
Hampton's brigade, and assumed the duty of picketing 
the upper Rappahannock. On the 24th General Fitz 
Lee crossed the Rappahannock at Kelly's Ford with 
400 men from the 1st, 2d, and 3d regiments, to 
make a reconnoissance on the Falmouth road, under 
orders from General Stuart. It will be sufficient to say, 
that in executing his orders General Lee advanced to 
Hartwood Church, where he encountered the enemy's 
cavalry, which he attacked and drove before him until 
he came within sight of the camps of the 5th corps. He 
captured 150 prisoners, representing seven regiments, 
with their horses, arms, and equipments. Among the 
prisoners were five commissioned officers. He returned 
to his camp on the 26th, having sustained a loss of 14 
in killed, wounded, and missing. 2 

1 History of the Civil War in America, vol. iii. pp. 17, 18. 

2 The diary of Lieutenant- Colonel W. R Carter, of the 3d Virginia 
Cavalry, has been placed in my hands by the kind confidence of his ven- 
erable mother. It narrates some incidents of this reconnoissance, which, 
although they may not interest the general reader, will certainly be appre- 
ciated by the survivors of his old command. Colonel Carter was one of 
the most promising officers of his rank in Stuart's cavalry. Always cool 
and collected, always provident for the wants of his men even to the mi- 
nutest details, he commanded their confidence and respect. He was fre- 
quently in command of his regiment, and always fought it well. He fell, 
mortally wounded, at the battle of Trevillian's Station, in June, 1864. I 
make the following extracts from his diary : — 

February 24th. Colonel Owen being sick, I deferred my departure on 
furlough and took the regiment on the scout, — about one hundred and fifty 
officers and men, — with three days' rations and as much corn as the men 
could well carry on their horses. We marched at nine o'clock A. M. through 
Culpeper Court House and Stevensburg, and crossed the Rappahannock 



INCIDENTS OF A RECONNOISSANCE. 205 

On the 16th of March Brigadier-General W. W. 
Averell left the main body of the Army of the Poto- 
mac with the intention of crossing the Rappahannock 

at Kelly's Mill. On account of eighteen inches of snow the roads were 
miserable, almost impassable. No ambulances with the command. En- 
camped near Morrisville, Fauquier County. We got plenty of hay for our 
horses, and notwithstanding the snow the men spent a very agreeable night 
by scraping it away and making beds with brush and straw near large log 
fires. The river was so high as to swim low horses at the ford. 

February 25th. Marched at eight o'clock A. M., 1st regiment in front, 
down the Falmouth road, passing Grove Church, Deep Run Mill, Frank- 
lin Gold Mines, and Hartwood Church, in Stafford County. Came upon 
the enemy's pickets below Hartwood, and charged them, the 1st regiment 
being in front and the 3d in rear. In the first charge the 1st regiment and 
a part of the 2d pursued the enemy to the left of Wallack's house, on the 
' Poplar Road,' while the remainder of the 2d regiment, under Major 
Breckinridge, with the 3d in reserve, pursued them down the Falmouth 
road. After charging several miles General Lee had the rally sounded 
and ordered the 1st and 2d regiments to form behind the 3d. We had 
then pursued about a mile beyond Hammett's house, and having captured 
a number of prisoners, and having accomplished our purpose, we began to 
retire by echelon. The 2d regiment formed in line of battle at Hammett's 
house, and the 1st went to form in a field in their rear. Captain Randolpb, 
of the Black-Horse Troop, having thrown out his company as sharpshooters 
to my front, I was ordered by General Lee to withdraw and form behind 
the 1st regiment. On moving back to execute this order I was met by 
several couriers looking for General Lee to inform him that a regiment of 
Yankees was in the woods on the right of the road facing Falmouth. I 
moved up quickly to support Colonel Drake, of the 1st. As I did so I saw 
an officer on the right of the road as aforesaid waving his handkerchief to 
me. Learning from some stragglers that the party probably belonged to 
the enemy, and thinking that it might be a ruse for the purpose of disen- 
tangling his men from the woods, I threw the regiment 'left into line,' to 
be ready to meet them in case they charged, and then advanced myself to 
meet the flag of truce. Whereupon Lieutenant Wetherell, of the 5th 
Pennsylvania Cavalry, surrendered himself and twenty men to me. Eight 
or ten others came out and surrendered to Colonel Drake. This proved to 
be the party supposed to be a regiment of the enemy, and I immediately 
informed General Lee to that effect. While this was transpiring the ene- 
my had advanced their sharpshooters within carbine range of Hammett's 
house, and commenced firing on the 2d regiment, which was ordered to 
retire and form behind the 1st and 3d, which were stationed near Coakley's 
house. The enemy continuing to press, our sharpshooters were placed in 
the edge of the woods three hundred yards in advance of Coakley's bouse, 
on both sides of the road. In a very few moments the enemy drove in our 
sharpshooters and commenced following them up with a cheer, their skir- 



206 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

at one of the upper fords and provoking a battle with 
the Southern cavalry. Something more than a mere 
reconnoissance was in view, for General Averell tells us 
that he was ordered " to attack and rout or destroy " 
Fitz Lee's brigade of cavalry, which was reported to be 
in the vicinity of Culpeper Court House. The Confed- 
erate scouts had been very active north of the Rappa- 
hannock, and by their operations had created the im- 
pression that a considerable force was located in the 
vicinity of Brentsville, against which General Averell 
was warned in his orders that he must provide. He 
accordingly detached 900 men from his command to 
guard his rear at Morgansburg, Elk Run, and Morris- 
ville, and with 2,100 men and his artillery advanced 
to Kelly's Ford, which he reached, according to his 
report, at eight o'clock on the morning of the 17th. 
A wide discrepancy is to be noticed between the reports 
of General Averell and General Lee as to the hour of 
the attack upon the ford. General Lee states that the 
attack was made at five o'clock a. m., three hours ear- 
lier than the time given by General Averell. For suf- 
ficient reasons, we adopt as correct the hour stated by 
General Lee. 1 He had been notified by telegram from 

mishers being supported by a column in the road with sabres drawn. 
General Lee ordered me to charge them with a yell, which the regiment did 
in most ojallant style, striking at the column advancing along the road, and 
disregarding the skirmishers on the flanks. The enemy continued to move 
on until we came within thirty yards of them, when they broke, and fled 
in perfect confusion. We pursued them for a quarter of a mile, killing 
and capturing several of them, when, thinking that we had pursued as far 
as prudence would permit, or as far as was in accordance with the designs 
of General Lee, I halted the column, formed it front into line, and imme- 
diately received orders to retire to the edge of the woods and form in line 
facing the enemy. Retiring from this position, and coming within speaking 
distance of General Lee, he highly complimented the regiment for the gal- 
lant charge it had made, which praise the men received with loud cheers. 
After this charge the enemy made no further effort to pursue. 
1 Sabres and Spurs, p. 208, Captain George N. Bliss, 1st Rhode Island 



famnwJ 



Sea' a. 



• iiUMiA \u>»»* | 




THE FIGHT AT THE FORD. 207 

General R. E. Lee, at eleven o'clock on the previous 
day, that a large body of cavalry had left the Federal 
army, and was marching up the Rappahannock. The 
scouts which he sent out the same day correctly located 
the enemy at Morrisville and at Bealton. He was there- 
fore uncertain whether the enemy would cross at Kel- 
ly's Ford or at the railroad bridge, or whether they 
would pursue their march toward Warrenton. Under 
these circumstances he strengthened his picket of 
twenty carbines at Kelly's Ford with forty more, and 
ordered the rest of the sharpshooters of the brigade, 
under Major W. A.Morgan, of the 1st Virginia Cavalry, 
to be stationed at daylight at the point where the road 
to Kelly's Ford leaves the railroad, that they might be 
in readiness to reinforce either place. Captain James 
Breckinridge, of the- 2d Virginia Cavalry, commanded 
the picket at Kelly's Ford. There was no more efficient 
officer of his rank in either army, and had he been prop- 
erly supported on this occasion, he would probably have 
succeeded in preventing General Averell from cross- 
ing at that point. His picket consisted of twenty men, 
of whom only fifteen at most were available for fight- 
in g, because every fourth man must be a horse-holder. 
General Lee says that only eleven or twelve men were 
stationed in the rifle-pits at the ford at the time of the 
attack. The horse-holders of the forty men sent to re- 
inforce Breckinridge were stationed too far in the rear, 
and the dismounted men, although hurried forward, 
did not reach the ford in time to gain the shelter of 
the pits. This occasion, as well as many others, dem- 
onstrated the fact that the horse-holders in a cavalry 

Cavalry, states that the attack was made about daylight. The diary of 
Lieutenant-Colonel W. R. Carter states that "boots and saddles" was 
sounded in the 3d Virginia Cavalry at seven o'clock, a. M., and that the 
regiment, moved out immediately, from its camp near Culpeper Court 
House, toward Kelly's Ford. 



208 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

fight should be the coolest and bravest men in the com- 
pany. " Number Four " has no right to be exempt 
from the perils of the battle. He holds the horses of 
his comrades only in order that they may more effi- 
ciently fight on foot ; and he should always be near at 
hand to give whatever aid the occasion demands. In 
the present instance several brave men were captured 
simply because their horses were so far distant. 

The brunt of the fight fell upon Breckinridge's little 
band of about a dozen men. General Lee says that he 
detained the enemy at the ford for an hour and a half. 
General Averell says that he dismounted two squad- 
rons and endeavored to cross his advance-guard under 
their fire, but failed. Two similar attempts made by 
his pioneers met with the same result. An effort was 
made to find a place for crossing below the ford ; but 
the swollen stream, four feet deep at the ford, was 
impassable elsewhere. Major Chamberlaine, chief-of- 
staff to General Averell, now selected sixteen men and 
placed them under the command of Lieutenant S. A. 
Brown, of troop G, 1st Rhode Island Cavalry, and or- 
dered him to cross the river and not return. Lieuten- 
ant Brown gallantly executed this order, and opened 
the way for the remainder of his regiment, which fol- 
lowed immediately. Captain Breckinridge escaped 
capture, but twenty-five dismounted men, who could 
not reach their horses, were the trophies of Brown's 
brave dash. It is a noteworthy fact that General 
Lee reports a loss of twelve horses captured in this 
battle, and that not one was lost by the 2d Virginia 
Cavalry, to which Captain Breckinridge belonged. 
It would seem, therefore, that as a prudent officer he 
had his horses near at hand, and thus provided for the 
safety of his men. General Averell's loss at the ford 
was one officer and two men killed, two officers and five 
men wounded, and fifteen horses killed and wounded. 



THE ENEMY CROSS THE FORD. 209 

After the resistance at the ford had been overcome, 
two hours were consumed in crossing over the com- 
mand. 1 The river was deep and swift, and the caissons 
and limbers of the guns were submerged. It was nec- 
essary that the cavalrymen should carry across the 
artillery ammunition in the nose-bags of their horses. 
Having watered his horses by squadrons, and having 
gotten his command well in hand on the south side 
of the river, General Averell was prepared to advance, 
as he states, at twelve m. Captain Bliss, 1st Rhode 
Island Cavalry, names the hour at ten o'clock a. m., 
doubtless with greater accuracy. 2 

In the mean time General Fitz Lee was awaiting 
news from the front in his camp near Culpeper Court 
House. At half past seven o'clock he received his first 
intelligence, which was that the enemy had crossed at 
Kelly's Ford, driving back his picket and capturing 
twenty-five of their number. He immediately moved 
his regiments at a rapid trot to Miller's house, about a 
mile and a half below Brandy Station. Finding that 
the enemy delayed, General Lee moved rapidly down 
the road toward Kelly's Ford and met Averell's troops 
before they had advanced as much as a half-mile from 
the ford. General Averell was correct when he wrote : 
" From what I had learned of Lee's position, and from 
what I knew personally of his character, I expected 
him to meet me on the road to his camp." . . . The 
distance passed over by either command, from the cross- 
ing at the ford to the time of meeting, is suggestive. 
When General Lee met him, Averell's right rested on 
the river near Wheatley's Ford, and his left extended 
a short distance beyond Brooks' house. He had a force 
of sharpshooters posted behind a stone fence which con- 
nected these two places, while his mounted reserves 

1 Sabres and Spurs, p. 210. 8 Ibid. 

14 



210 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

were drawn up in the fields and woods in the rear, on 
both sides of the road which branches off from Wheat- 
ley's to Kelly's Ford. On his right was the 4th New 
York, on his left the 4th Pennsylvania, both regiments 
deployed to use carbines, and supported by two sec- 
tions of artillery. 

Fitz Lee approached with his 3d regiment in front, 
preceded by the sharpshooters of the brigade under 
Major W. A. Morgan, of the 1st regiment. Major 
Morgan immediately engaged the enemy with effect, 
as we learn from General Averell's report ; for he 
says : " The 4th Pennsylvania and the 4th New York, 
I regret to say, did not come up to the mark at first, 
and it required some personal exertions on the part 
of myself and staff to bring them under the enemy's 
fire, which was now sweeping the woods." While 
this was transpiring, the 3d regiment threw down the 
fence and entered Wheatley's field about one hundred 
yards below Brannin's house, and moved back to form 
near Brown's house in the same field. From this point 
General Lee ordered the 3d to charge. The order 
was executed in column of fours. The regiment swept 
down the line of the stone fence which separated them 
from the enemy in the woods beyond, delivering the 
fire of their pistols. The enemy's line wavered through- 
out its length, and the utmost exertions of the Federal 
officers were required to keep their men from flight. 
But no outlet could be found through the stone fence, 
and the 3d regiment turned across the field to its left 
and moved down toward Wheatley's ice-house. 

As adjutant of the 3d, it was made my duty by Colo- 
nel Owen, who led the charge in person, to see that 
the column of the regiment was kept well closed up. 
When about midway of the column, I saw Major John 
Pelham rushing to its head with the shout of battle on 



THE DEATH OF PELHAM. 211 

his lips. After the rear of the regiment had passed 
through a small enclosure near Wheatley's house, I 
saw a single cavalryman struggling to place the body 
of a comrade across the bow of his saddle. I ap- 
proached to assist, and recognized Pelham. He had 
been struck in the head by a piece of a shell, and life 
was extinct. By this narrow chance was his body 
preserved from falling into the hands of the enemy. 

As the 3d regiment moved clown toward Wheatley's, 
endeavoring to find an outlet by which to attack the 
enemy's right flank, Mcintosh's brigade, the 16th and 
4th Pennsylvania Cavalry, moved forward to the 
same point, and having occupied Wheatley's house 
and garden, opened a severe fire, by which several 
men were wounded. The 3d was now joined by the 
5th regiment, under Colonel T. L. Rosser, and the 
two regiments endeavored to force the enemy near 
the house of G. T. Wheatley. While retiring from 
this unsuccessful attempt, Major Fuller, of the 5th 
regiment, was killed. The 3d and 5th regiments now 
drew r back to the remainder of the brigade, which, 
mean time, had not been idle. Colonel Dufne had ad- 
vanced his three regiments, the 1st Rhode Island, the 
4th Pennsylvania, and the Gth Ohio, in front of the 
left of Averell's line, and General Lee moved forward 
the 1st, 2d, and 4th regiments to meet him. In the 
charges which followed, Colonel Dufne's three regi- 
ments were aided by two squadrons of the 5th U. S. 
Cavalry and by Mcintosh's command, which advanced 
upon Lee's left as soon as the 3d and 5th regiments re- 
tired. If we may credit General Averell's report, " The 
enemy were torn to pieces and driven from the field in 
magnificent style." General Averell, however, pro- 
ceeds to explain why he could not improve this rout of 
his opponents, and why he did not capture three to five 



212 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

hundred prisoners, " because the distance was too great 
for the time, the ground was very heavy, and the 
charge was made three minutes too soon, and without 
any prearranged support." In point of fact, in these 
combats General Lee found himself largely outnum- 
bered and was compelled to withdraw; but he retired 
in such manner that Averell was able to gain no ad- 
vantage over him. In one of the charges, Major Cary 
Breckinridge, of the 2d Virginia Cavalry, leaped his 
horse across a wide ditch which separated him from the 
enemy. His horse was killed, and Major Breckinridge 
was compelled to surrender to Lieutenant James M. 
Fales, of the 1st Rhode Island Cavalry. The 1st Rhode 
Island, however, lost in this charge eighteen men cap- 
tured, and among them Captain Thayer and Lieutenant 
Darling. 1 

It should not be forgotten that all this fighting oc- 
curred in the immediate vicinity of Kelly's Ford ; nor 
should the great disparity in numbers be unnoticed. 
According to his own account, Averell commanded not 
less than twenty-one hundred men and six pieces of ar- 
tillery. General Lee could not bring eight hundred 
men into line, and his advance to Kelly's Ford had 
been so rapid that his battery could not reach him until 
after this part of the battle was over. Surely Averell 
should have felt himself able to " rout or destroy " that 
small force, especially when he had them " torn to 
pieces and driven from the field." 

Having thus compelled the enemy to display his su- 
perior numbers, General Lee deemed it prudent to re- 
tire to a stronger position, where he could receive 
assistance from his artillery. He accordingly withdrew 
through Miss Wheatley's farm (occupied by Lumpkin) 
to the road leading from Brandy Station to Kelly's 

1 Sabres and Spurs, p. 210. 



FITZ LEE'S CHARGE. 213 

Ford, and formed his line across that road, near Carter's 
Run, on the farm of James Newby. Here an open 
field, not less than five or six hundred yards wide, ex- 
tended for a considerable distance on either side of the 
road. Gently sloping toward the centre, the southern 
side of this field was enclosed by thick woods, while the 
opposite hill was skirted by a thin growth of old-field 
pines, which terminated the view in that direction. 
Captain James Breathed's battery now crowned the 
hill on the north side, and Fitz Lee's brigade was 
drawn up in line across the road in the open field, with 
his mounted skirmishers in front. After considerable 
delay, the enemy made his appearance in the edge of 
the opposite woods, and opened fire at long range with 
his carbines and with a battery of four pieces. 1 The 2d 
and 4th regiments, which numerically constituted more 
than half of Lee's brigade, held the field on his right of 
the road ; the 1st, 3d, and 5th regiments held the left. 
Fitz Lee endured the enemy's fire for a time, but see- 
ing that Averell showed no disposition to advance, he 
ordered his brigade to charge in line, commencing on 
the right. This was a serious movement. Not a squad- 
ron was left to reinforce the charge when broken on the 
enemy's lines, and there was nothing behind which his 
regiments could rally, if unsuccessful, except the four 
guns of Breathed's battery. A year later in the war 
Lee would hardly have ventured on such a charge, but 
at this time he was probably influenced by what he 
u knew personally of his [Averell's] character." From the 
very beginning of the charge Lee's regiments were sub- 
jected to the fire of the enemy's carbines, and of shell, 
spherical case, and double-shotted canister from his ar- 
tillery. Midway across the field the charge of the 4th 

1 General Averell says three guns, but Lieutenant George Brown, Jr., 
commanding the battery, says four guns. 



214 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

regiment was interrupted by a rail fence, which was, 
however, so soon thrown down that the regiment imme- 
diately recovered its alignment. On the left of the road 
the 3d regiment was compelled to change from line into 
column of fours, to cross the run which flowed through 
the bottom of the valley ; but the line was reformed on 
the other side without a halt. Captain Bliss, of the 1st 
Rhode Island Cavalry, tells us that the right of General 
Averell's line was held by the 3d Pennsylvania and the 
5th Regulars, and that the 1st Rhode Island and a 
squadron of the 6th Ohio held the left. 1 Everything 
gave way before the charge of Lee's left. The enemy 
disappeared in the dense woods, and made no show 
of resistance, except by a desultory fire of carbines at 
long range. Could a fresh regiment have supported 
this charge, Averell's guns would certainly have fallen 
into Lee's hands ; but these gunsrwere all on the left 
of Averell's position, and between them and Lee's left 
were two strong fences which lined either side of the 
road. It was impossible, under the circumstances, to 
pursue the advantage farther, and the 1st, 3d, and 5th 
regiments, broken by- the charge into little squads, re- 
tired across the field to reform on the ground whence 
they had started. 

On the right, the 2d and 4th regiments met with 
more resistance. They pressed their charge so close to 
the enemy's battery that the gunners fled from their 
guns. The 1st Rhode Island, however, came to the 
rescue, and a hand to hand fight ensued. The contem- 
porary writer on either side would doubtless have re- 
corded that his adversaries were " driven in headlong 
flight and scattered in every direction.'" The facts are 
that the 2d and 4th regiments did not and could not 
reach the guns, though they were silent ; and that the 

1 Sabres and Spurs, p. 211. 



A PHANTOM OF THE IMAGINATION. 215 

1st Rhode Island did not feel itself strong enough, after 
its encounter, to follow or molest these regiments as 
they retired to reform on the other side of the field. 

Now, indeed, there was an opportunity for General 
Averell to " rout or destroy " Fitz Lee's brigade. He 
had a large force in reserve ; and two fresh regiments, 
one on either side of the road, could have swept that 
field beyond the hope of recovery. He could have rid- 
den over Breathed's guns before the brigade could pos- 
sibly have formed to protect them. Why did he not do 
it ? Let us turn to his report for information. Near 
the beginning of his report. General Averell says : — 

On the night of the 16th the fires of a camp of the enemy 
were seen from Mount Holly Church by my scouts between 
Ellis' and Kelly's fords, and the drums, beating retreat and 
tattoo, were heard from their camps near Rappahannock Sta- 
tion. 

And thus it appears that the phantom of " rebel in- 
fantry " was conjured up before General Averell's im- 
agination at the very outset of his expedition. Further 
on he says : — 

Here the enemy opened three pieces, two ten-pounder Par- 
rotts and one six-pounder gun, from the side of the hill, directly 
in front of my left. No horses could be discovered about these 
guns, and from the manner in which they were served it was 
evident that they were covered by earthworks. It was also 
obvious that our artillery could not hurt them. Our ammuni- 
tion was of miserable quality and nearly exhausted. . . . 
Theirs, on the contrary, was exceedingly annoying. Firing 
at a single company or squadron in line, they would knock a 
man out of ranks very frequently. . . . Their skirmishers 
again threatened my left, and it was reported to me that in- 
fantry had been seen at a distance to my right, moving to- 
wards my rear, and the cars could be heard running on the 
road in rear of the enemy, probably bringing reinforcements. 
It was 5.30 P. M., and it was necessary to advance my cavalry 



216 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

upon their intrenched positions, to make a direct and desper- 
ate attack, or to withdraw across the river. Either opera- 
tion would be attended with imminent hazard. My horses 
were much exhausted. We had been successful thus far. I 
deemed it proper to withdraw. 

It is hardly necessary to state that there was no 
Confederate infantry nearer to Fitz Lee's brigade than 
the camps of the army in the vicinity of Fredericks- 
burg. 

We may thus sum up the results of this battle. With 
2,100 men and six guns, between the hours of five 
o'clock a. m. and 5.30 p. m., General Averell advanced 
less than two miles on the road to Culpeper Court 
House, his avowed destination. He was turned back 
by General Fitz Lee with 800 men aided by a well 
served battery of four guns, and reinforced by imagi- 
nary " drums beating retreat and tattoo . . . near Rappa- 
hannock Station ; " by imaginary " earthworks " and 
" rifle-iiits, lohich could not easily he turned? but which 
must be approached by " a direct and desperate attack ; " 
by imaginary " infantry . . . seen at a distance to my 
right, moving towards my rear ; " and last, but not least, 
by imaginary cars " heard running on the road in rear 
of the enemy, probably bringing reinforcements?' 

We cannot excuse General Averell's conduct. He 
ought to have gone to Culpeper Court House. 

Among numerous instances of personal gallantry 
there were two which seem worthy of permanent rec- 
ord. After three attempts to force a passage at Kelly's 
Ford had failed, Lieutenant Simeon A. Brown, of the 
1st Rhode Island Cavalry, charged the deadly pass at 
the head of sixteen men. The lieutenant was the first 
to reach the opposite bank, but only two of his men 
followed him. His horse was wounded in two places, 
and he himself received three bullets through his cloth- 



CASUALTIES OF THE FIGHT. 217 

ing. Sergeant Kimborough, of company G, 4th Vir- 
ginia Cavalry, was wounded early in the action. He 
refused to leave the field. In the last charge he was 
the first to spring to the ground to throw down the 
fence which obstructed the way ; remounted, and 
dashed on at the head of his regiment ; was twice sa- 
bred over the head ; had his arm shattered by a bul- 
let ; was captured and carried over the river, but made 
his escape, and, on the same night, walked back twelve 
miles to the camp of his regiment. 

General Lee reports a loss of 11 killed, 88 wounded, 
and 34 taken prisoners. Of the latter, 25 were cap- 
tured at the ford ; only 9 were lost in the subsequent 
fighting. This fact is in itself an eloquent commentary 
on the conduct of this brigade. General Lee reports a 
loss of 71 horses killed, 87 wounded, and 12 captured. 
In his address on the Battle of Chancellorsville he calls 
attention to the large proportion of horses killed, as 
showing " the closeness of the contending forces." 

General Averell reports an aggregate loss of 80. 
Out of this number, 41 casualties occurred in the 1st 
Rhode Island Cavalry. This regiment fairly carried off 
the honors of the day on the Federal side. 

General Stuart was present at this battle, but, as it 
were, by accident. He did not assume command, and 
accords all the honor of the battle to General Lee. 
Stuart and Pelham had been attending the session of 
a court-martial in Culpeper Court House as witnesses. 
They had expected to return to Fredericksburg on the 
morning of the 17th, but learning that the enemy was 
advancing, both borrowed horses and joined Lee's bri- 
gade. Pelham could not remain inactive on the battle- 
field. Having no guns to occupy his attention, he rode 
forward to aid in leading the charge of the 3d regi- 
ment, and met his fate. 



CHAPTER XIV. 

CHANCELLOKS VILLE . 

Eaely in February, 1863, the cavalry of the Army 
of the Potomac was consolidated into one corps under 
the command of Brigadier-General George Stoneman, 
who soon afterwards received the rank of Major- 
General. Thus organized, the cavalry constituted a 
command of which any general might have been 
proud. On the 28th of February General Stoneman 
reported the strength of his corps at about 12,000 
men and 13,000 horses present for duty ; and the 
monthly report of the Army of the Potomac for the 
30th of April, 1863, shows that the force of cavalry 
" actually available for the line of battle " was 11,079. 
Upon this splendid body of troops General Hooker de- 
pended for the successful opening of the campaign he 
had planned against Lee's army at Fredericksburg. It 
was intended, that General Stoneman should cross the 
Rappahannock River at the fords west of the Orange 
and Alexandria Railroad with all of his command ex- 
cept one brigade ; and after dispersing the small force 
of Confederate cavalry in Culpeper, a force which Gen- 
eral Hooker estimated at not over 2,000 men, 1 that 
he should interpose his command between Lee's army 
and Richmond. He was expected to destroy commu- 
nication along the line of the Central Railroad, to 
capture the supply stations at Gordonsville and Char- 

1 Preliminary print of Federal Reports, vol. xiv. p. 830. 



PREUMINA RY MO VEMENTS. 219 

lottesville, and to inflict all possible damage along the 
Pamunkey River as far as West Point. But the main 
object of the expedition was to penetrate to the Rich- 
mond and Fredericksburg Railroad) along the line of 
which it was anticipated that General Lee would re- 
treat; and by breaking up that road and by destroying 
the bridges over the North and South A nun, to sever 
direct communication between Lee's army and Rich- 
mond. General Stoneman was assured that he might 
rely upon the fact that General Hooker would be m 
connection with him before his supplies were exhaust- 
ed; for it was further intended that the Army of the 
Potomac should pass around the left of Lee's army, 
and, compelling the evacuation of the Strong fortress 
at Fredericksburg, cause the Confederates to retreat 
toward Richmond by the direct line, or to withdraw 
through Spottsylvania toward Gordonsville. In either 
event General Stoneman would be in position to harass 
and delay the movements of the defeated army. The 
instructions which General Stoneman received closed 
with this solemn injunction : — 

It devolves upon yon, general, to take the initiative in the 
forward movement of this grand army, and on you and your 
noble command must depend in a great measure the extent 
and brilliancy of our success. Bear in mind that celerity, 
audacity, and resolution are everything in war, and especially 
is it the case with the command you have and the enterprise 
upon which you art; about to embark. 

General Stoneman received his orders on the 12th of 
April. On the night of the 13th his command was 
concentrated at Morrisville, ready to cross the Kappa- 
bannock on the following morning. In order that, his 
movement might be unimpeded, a brigade of infantry 
and a battery of artillery from the 11th corps was 
directed to take possession of Kelly's Ford. On the 



220 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

same day the Army of the Potomac was ordered to 
prepare eight days' rations in haversacks, so that it 
might be ready to move when the cavalry had per- 
formed the part assigned to it. 

To oppose the movement of this heavy column of 
cavalry Stuart had only the 9th and 13th regiments of 
Virginia Cavalry, 116 mounted men of the 2d North 
Carolina Cavalry, and 143 dismounted men (men whose 
horses had been lost in the service) of the same regi- 
ment. Two batteries of horse artillery were present. 
Fitz Lee's brigade had been moved northward toward 
Salem, and could not return in time to meet the ene- 
my. 1 During the night of the 13th General W. H. F. 
Lee was informed by his scouts of the presence of the 
enemy at Morrisville, and he promptly reinforced his 
picket at Kelly's Ford by Captain S. Boiling's company 
of sharpshooters from the 9th Virginia Cavalry. Cap- 
tain Boiling's force at the ford amounted to about 150 
men. He was subsequently strengthened by one gun 
from Moorman's battery, and by the larger part of the 
13th Virginia Cavalry, under Colonel J. R. Chambliss. 

At daylight, on the 14th, General John Buford, com- 
manding the Cavalry Reserve (U. S. Regulars), made 
his appearance and attempted to force a passage of the 
ford under cover of a large party of riflemen ; but 
meeting with strong resistance the attempt was aban- 
doned and was not renewed. General Buford's report 

1 Extract from the diary of Lieutenant-Colonel W. R. Carter, 3d Vir- 
ginia Cavalry : — ■ 

April 14tk. Started to move camp nearer to Salem on Manassas Gap 
Railroad, but hearing that a large force of Yankee cavalry was at Morris- 
ville, preparing to cross at Kelly's Ford and attack General W. H. F. Lee's 
force, we were ordered to move back to Amissville, where we encamped for 
the night. 

April 15th. Rainy and cold all day. Ordered to start for Culpeper Court 
House. Having marched two miles, the order was countermanded, and we 
returned to the same camp, with no dry place to pitch a tent. 



PRELIMINARY MOVEMENTS. 221 

states that his object at Kelly's Ford was merely to 
make a demonstration which should favor the passage 
of the rest of the corps at the upper fords ; and this 
was undoubtedly the plan marked out in the orders 
which had been given to General Stoneman. 

While General Buford was thus observing Kelly's 
Ford, General D. McM. Gregg's division was moved up 
to the ford at the railroad bridge. This point was de- 
fended by a few dismounted men (it does not appear 
from what regiment), who held a block-house which 
commanded the bridge ; and by twenty men of com- 
pany D, 13th Virginia Cavalry, under Lieutenant W. T. 
Gary, who occupied the adjacent rifle-pits. The 9th 
Virginia Cavalry and two sections of artillery, one from 
Moorman's and one from Breathed's battery, supported 
these riflemen. One hundred and sixteen mounted men 
of the 2d North Carolina Cavalry, commanded by Cap- 
tain J. W. Strange, supported a Whitworth gun which 
was stationed one mile east of Brandy Station. 

A party from General Gregg's command was allowed 
to cross at the bridge without opposition from the 
block-house, while at the same time a mounted party 
crossed the ford. Lieutenant Gary was outflanked and 
retired from the rifle-pits ; but he soon gained position 
in the block-house, and without loss, except that he 
himself was wounded. When the 9th Virginia Cavalry 
moved down to attack, the Federals retired to the 
north bank of the river, and the remainder of the day 
was consumed in a desultory fire between the sharp- 
shooters and the artillery on either side. General 
Gregg sent a squadron to Beverly's Ford, two miles 
above the bridge, and ascertained that a force of dis- 
mounted Confederates held the south bank. Nothing 
further was attempted on this day. From early morn- 
ing the Federal cavalry had threatened the fords which 



222 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

were then entirely practicable. A determined effort 
on the part of General Gregg's command could not 
have failed to secure the passage of his division at the 
railroad and at Beverly's Ford ; and success at these 
points would have caused the withdrawal of the Con- 
federates at Kelly's Ford. General Stoneman, how- 
ever, deferred a serious attempt until the following 
morning, and lost his opportunity. We are not sur- 
prised to read the following tart despatches which were 
sent by General Hooker to General Stoneman on the 
following day : — 

Headquarters Army of the Potomac, 
April 15, 1863. 

General Stoneman, — Despatches of April 15th, from 
-, signed by the chief of your staff, have been received. 



The commanding general desires me to call your attention to 
your letter of instruction. The tenor of your despatches might 
indicate that you were manoeuvring yo.ur whole force against 
the command of General Lee, numbering not over two thou- 
sand men. The commanding general does not expect, nor do 
your instructions indicate, that you are to act from any base 
or depot. When any messengers are coming this way please 
acknowledge the receipt of the despatch concerning the tele- 
gram from General Peck, sent for your information. 

Jos. Hooker, 
Major- General commandifig. 

Headquarters Army of the Potomac, 
April 15, 1863. 

General Stoneman, — Your despatches of 9 and 10.35 
o'clock, of this date, are received. As you stated in your com- 
munication of yesterday that you would be over the river with 
your command at daylight this morning, it was so communi- 
cated to Washington, and it was hoped that the crossing had 
been made in advance of the rise of the river. If your artil- 
lery is your only hindrance to your advance, the major-gen- 
eral commanding directs that you order it to return and pro- 
ceed to the execution of your orders without it. It is but rea- 



PRELIMINARY MOVEMENTS. 223 

sonable to suppose that if you cannot make use of that arm of 
the service the enemy cannot. If it is practicable to carry 
into execution the general instructions communicated to you 
on the 12th instant, the major-general commanding expects 
you to make use of such means as will, in your opinion, enable 
you to accomplish it, and that as speedily as possible. This 
army is now awaiting your movement. I am directed to add 
that, in view of the swollen condition of the streams, it is not 
probable, in the event of your being able to advance, that you 
will be troubled by the infantry of the enemy. 

S. Williams, 
Assistant Adjutant- General. 

On the same day President Lincoln thus wrote to 
General Hooker : — 

Major-General Hooker, — It is now 10.15 p. m. An 
hour ago I received your letter of this morning, and a few mo- 
ments later your despatch of this evening. The letter gives 
me considerable uneasiness. The rain and mud, of course, 
were to be calculated upon. General S. is not moving rap- 
idly enough to make the expedition come to anything. He 
has now been out three days, two of which were unusually 
fair weather, and all three without hindrance from the enemy, 
and yet he is not twenty-five miles from where he started. 
To reach his point he still has sixty to go, another river (the 
Rapidan) to cross, and will be hindered by the enemy. By 
arithmetic, how many days will it take him to do it ? I do 
not know that any better can be done, but I greatly fear it is 
another failure already. Write me often, I am very anxious. 
Yours truly, A. Lincoln. 

The failure which President Lincoln feared had al- 
ready beeu consummated when this letter was written. 
At 6.30 a. m. on the 15th, Buford's cavalry, which had 
moved up from Kelly's Ford, was at the railroad bridge 
and ready to cross. He was ordered to await further 
instructions. It seems that some Federal cavalry had 
been sent early in the day to Welford's Ford, where 
the small Confederate picket was easily driven back, 



224 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

and a crossing was effected. Moving rapidly down the 
river this party approached Beverly's Ford, to which 
General Gregg's division had been moved, and surprised 
the dismounted men who, under Lieutenant-Colonel M. 
Lewis, guarded that point. But although surprised, 
this picket was not to be captured without a fight. 
Colonel Lewis and Lieutenant G. W. Beale, of the 9th 
Virginia Cavalry, boldly charged the advance of the 
enemy, and thus gained time to withdraw in safety. 
It seems strange that any could have escaped from 
such a position. They were cut off from their horses 
and lost them all, twelve in number ; but the loss in 
men was only one killed and five captured. 

As soon as this news was received, General W. H. F. 
Lee moved the 9th and 13th regiments to the threat- 
ened point. The enemy had partly recrossed the river, 
but Colonel Chambliss, at the head of about fifty men, 
charged their rear-guard and drove them into the 
stream. One lieutenant and twenty-four men, of the 
3d Indiana Cavalry, were captured, and some were 
drowned in the rapid waters. The 9th Virginia Cav- 
alry was also engaged in this charge. It is noticeable 
that the Federal reports are silent concerning this 
affair. 

Thus ended this expedition. The bold action of two 
small cavalry regiments, aided by a swollen stream, 
thwarted the plans of the Federal commander and de- 
layed for a fortnight the advance of the Grand Army 
of the Potomac. 

The meaning of such a concentration of the enemy's 
cavalry as had just been witnessed could not be mis- 
taken, and General Stuart was especially charged by 
his commander to do all in his power to prevent a foray 
upon his communications. Therefore, as soon as the 
flood had subsided, Fitz Lee's brigade was brought back 



PRELIMINARY MOVEMENTS. 225 

from Sperryville to Culpeper Court House. The force 
under Stuart's command was painfully small in compar- 
ison with the services demanded of it. It is impossible 
at the present day to give exact numbers, but General 
Hooker's statement that Stoneman was opposed by not 
over 2,000 cavalry is probably correct. 1 With this 
small force Stuart was required to cover a front of 
more than fifty miles, maintaining pickets at the fords 
of both the Rappahannock and the Rapiclan. 

For some days prior to the 28th of April, the north 
bank of the Rappahannock, at Kelly's Ford and at the 
railroad bridge, had been held by Federal infantry 
pickets, and this unusual appearance had placed the 
Confederates fully on the alert. On the afternoon of 
the 28th three corps of the Federal army were concen- 
trated near Kelly's Ford, and at six o'clock in the eve- 
ning a strong party crossed the river in boats below the 
ford, severing communication with the pickets lower 
down the river, and driving back the picket at the ford. 
A pontoon bridge was laid, and the passage of the 11th 
and 12th army corps was effected during the night. 
No effort was made to extend the advance further 
than was necessary to accommodate these troops for 
the night. 

Stuart received notice of these movements by nine 
o'clock p. m., at Culpeper Court House. His scouts 

1 In his Chancellorsville Address General Fitzhugh Lee estimated his 
own brigade at 1,500 men, and that of W. II. F. Lee at 1,200 men. This 
estimate is based on the monthly report of March 31, 1863, and is prob- 
ably an over-estimate. On the 30th of April, 1863, the Federal cavalry 
reported an effective total of 11,079. But the reports of Generals Stone- 
man and Averell show that only about 6,900 men were engaged in the 
" Stoneman Raid " ; and yet this was all of the cavalry of the Army of the 
Potomac except one brigade, which General Pleasonton calls a "small bri- 
gade," which was left with the main body of the army. If we apply the 
same ratio of discount to the Confederate cavalry, General Fitzhugh Lee's 
2,700 men will be reduced to about 2,000. 
15 



226 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

had detected, and he had already reported to General 
R. E. Lee, the movement of a large force of infantry 
and artillery up the river from Falmouth, and unless 
the telegraph line was closed, he must have reported 
these facts also. It must be remembered, however, 
that the magnitude of the enemy's force was concealed 
by darkness, and that no forward movement was made 
until the following morning. Unless the most urgent 
necessity required it, Stuart had no right to move his 
command from a position where it would be able to con- 
front the enemy's cavalry, which he had abundant rea- 
son to believe would now attempt to reach the interior 
of the State. So far as he could observe, the present 
advance might be intended solely as a diversion in fa- 
vor of such a movement. He accordingly ordered that 
the enemy be enveloped with pickets, and, concentrat- 
ing his command near Brandy Station, awaited the de- 
velopments of the morning. At four o'clock a. m. on 
the 29th, the 12th corps advanced toward Germanna 
Ford, followed by the 11th corps, while the 5th corps 
commenced the passage of the pontoon bridge at eleven 
o'clock a. m., and moved at once on the road to Ely's 
Ford. To cover this movement, a force of infantry 
was sent out toward Brandy Station, and with these 
troops the 13th Virginia Cavalry was engaged in skir- 
mishing during a considerable part of the morning. 

Early in the afternoon Stuart learned that the ene- 
my's column was moving toward Germanna Ford, and 
to ascertain the truth of the report he moved the larger 
part of his command to Willis Madden' s, where he 
pierced the marching column and captured prisoners 
from the 11th, 12th, and 5th corps. The intentions of 
the enemy were now well developed, and this informa- 
tion was at once telegraphed to the commanding gen- 
eral. In reply, Stuart was not only instructed to swing 



PRELIMINARY MOVEMENTS. 227 

around to join the left wing of Lee's army, but he was 
also charged to give the necessary orders for the pro- 
tection of public property along the railroads. To ac- 
complish this latter purpose, General W. H. F. Lee was 
ordered to proceed by way of Culpeper Court House 
to the Rapidan, and endeavor to cover Gordonsville and 
the Central Railroad. Two regiments, the 9th and 
loth Virginia Cavalry, constituted the whole of his 
command. Fitz Lee's brigade was put in motion as 
soon as possible for Raccoon Ford. Before leaving the 
position he had gained at Maclden's, Stuart detached a 
strong party of sharpshooters from the 4th Virginia 
Cavalry, who were ordered to remain at that point and 
annoy the enemy's trains and marching columns as 
much as possible ; and, when driven away, to follow 
the brigade to Raccoon Ford. The reports of General 
Howard and of Colonel Devin show that this party oc- 
cupied the attention of the 17th Pennsylvania Cavalry 
during the remainder of that day and during the night 
of the same, and prevented it from taking an active 
part in the advance of the army. 

After marching more than half the night, Fitz Lee's 
brigade crossed the Rapidan and rested for a few hours. 
The 3d Virginia Cavalry, under Colonel Thomas H. 
Owen, was sent on without stopping, and early the 
next morning interposed between the enemy and Fred- 
ericksburg, at Wilderness Run. 1 The darkness of the 

1 The conduct of General Stuart on the present occasion has been criti- 
cised by the Hon. William E. Cameron, of Petersburg, Va., in the Philadel- 
phia Weekly Times, of the 5th of July, 1879, as wanting in the vigor and 
watchfulness which usually characterized him. An examination of the Offi- 
cial Records will not establish the justice of this criticism. The roads lead- 
ing southward from Kelly's Ford to the Rapidan were not left unobserved. 
Pickets were placed upon them, and this was all that could be done or ought to 
have been done, for no one will venture to assert that, with the facts which 
were before him on the night of the 28th, Stuart would have been justified in 
separating any portion of his small command from the apparently paramount 



228 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

night and the excessive fatigue of his men produced a 
separation of several companies from Colonel Owen's 
regiment, and he was able to oppose only the smaller 

duty of guarding the railroads. Moreover, General Howard states that the 
11th corps commenced the passage of the pontoon bridge at Kelly's Ford 
only at ten o'clock on the night of the 28th ; and General Slocum states 
that the advance of the 12th corps began on the following morning at four 
o'clock. Suj:>erhuman penetration and personal ubiquity, but nothing less, 
might have enabled Stuart to ascertain these facts in time to interpose cav- 
alry on the roads leading to Ely's and Germanna fords. But Slocum's ad- 
vance instantly closed access to the former road, and although Stuart sent 
couriers to notify the pickets on the Rapidan, they were captured and 
failed to reach their destination. 

The march of Slocum's column was not, however, unopposed. We have 
the testimony of his report for the fact that " during the entire march from 
the Rappahannock to the Rapidan, the advance-guard, consisting of the 6th 
New York Cavalry, Lieutenant-Colonel McVicker commanding, was op- 
posed by small bodies of cavalry." What officer was in command of this 
Confederate picket does not appear ; nor can it be stated why he failed to 
notify the Ely's Ford picket; nor why he failed to communicate his move- 
ments to General Stuart. It is reasonable, as well as charitable, to suppose 
that he made the effort to perform these evident duties, but that his cou- 
riers also were captured. 

There is one portion of the Hon. Mr. Cameron's criticism which produces 
an unpleasant impression. He brings forward General R. E. Lee as a wit- 
ness to the tardiness of his lieutenant. He says : — 

"But Major-General Anderson arrived at Chancellorsville at twelve 
o'clock on Thursday night, the 29th of April, having been sent by General 
Lee 'as soon as he had intelligence of the enemy's movement.' This proves 
that the Confederate commander received his first notice of the great events 
maturing on his left late in the afternoon of the 29th, and then Slocum and 
Meade were within easy striking distance." 

The words which I have italicized appear as if quoted from General Lee's 
report. It seems impossible to put any other construction upon them. And 
yet, neither these words nor anything like them can be found in that re- 
port. On the contrary, after acknowledging that he had been informed by 
General Stuart, on the 28th, that a large body of infantry and artillery was 
moving up the river, General Lee says : — 

" During the forenoon of the 29th that officer reported that the enemy 
had crossed in force near Kelly's Ford on the preceding evening. Later in 
the day he announced that a heavy column was moving from Kelly's toward 
Germanna Ford, on the Rapidan, and another towards Ely's Ford, on that 
river." 

Toward the close of his report, General Lee gives the following explicit 
testimony to the vigilance and energy of his cavalry : — 

" The cavalry of the army, at the time of these operations, was much re- 



THE FIGHT NEAR TODD'S TAVERN. 229 

part of his force to the advance of the 6th New York 
Cavalry on the morning of the 3 Oth. He made, how- 
ever, a spirited fight for the possession of the bridge 
over Wilderness Run, as is testified by Colonel Devin, 
who commanded the cavalry brigade operating with 
the right of Hooker's army ; and when forced away, 
retired skirmishing toward Chancellorsville. Stuart, 
with the remainder of Fitz Lee's brigade, reached the 
Germanna road in the vicinity of the Wilderness Tavern 
soon after Colonel Owen had retired, and opened on 
the enemy's column with artillery and dismounted men. 
Stuart claims that he delayed the enemy at this 
point until midday. General Slocum states that he sent 
two regiments to oppose this attack, but that his " main 
body continued its march." It is clear, however, that 
some delay occurred ; for the distance from Germanna 
Ford to Chancellorsville is less than ten miles, and al- 
though Slocum' s advance division left the ford at day- 
light, it did not reach Chancellorsville until two o'clock 
p. M. Meantime Colonel Owen had discovered and re- 
ported that the 5th corps, under Meade, had reached 
Chancellorsville by the Ely's Ford road. Stuart there- 
fore withdrew from the Wilderness Tavern, and directed 
his march by way of Todd's Tavern toward Spottsylva- 

duced. To its vigilance and enerjry we were indebted for timely informa- 
tion of the enemy's movements before the battle, and for impeding his 
march to Chancellorsville. It guarded both flanks of the army during the 
battle at that place, and a portion of it, as has already been stated, ren- 
dered valuable service in covering the march of Jackson to the enemy's 
rear." 

These quotations may be verified by reference to pages 258 and 266 of 
the preliminary print of Confederate Reports from November 15, 1862, to 
June 3, 1863, issued by the War Records Office, Washington, D. C. 

I should have thought it unnecessary to answer the criticisms of Mr. Cam- 
eron were it not for the fact that Major I. Scheibert, of the Prussian army, 
who is, I am persuaded, an admirer of General Stuart, has thought Mr. 
Cameron's paper of sufficient importance to translate it into the German 
language. 



230 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

nia Court House. Night had fallen when the command 
reached Todd's Tavern. Here Stuart proposed that his 
troops should bivouac, while he himself, with his staff, 
rode to army headquarters to receive instructions. A 
bright moon was shining. Stuart had not proceeded 
far on his way when he found himself confronted by 
the enemy's cavalry. The 6th New York regiment, 
under Lieutenant-Colonel McVicker, had been sent on 
a reconnoissance toward Spottsylvania Court House, 
and was now returning. Stuart's party readily yielded 
the right of way to this regiment, while he sent for aid 
to the brigade, which fortunately had not yet dis- 
mounted. The 5th Virginia Cavalry, being nearest, 
advanced against the enemy, who, warned of danger 
by contact with Stuart's staff, had left the road and 
were drawn up in line in Hugh Alsop's field. The 5th 
regiment kept the road past this field. The 6th New 
York charged upon the rear of the column of fours as 
it passed on, took some prisoners, gained the road in 
rear of the 5th regiment, and moved on to occupy the 
forks of the road, which it was necessary for them to 
hold in order to make good their way to Chancellors- 
ville. Here they met that portion of the 3d Virginia 
Cavalry which had rejoined the brigade under Lieuten- 
ant-Colonel W. R. Carter. The 3d regiment charged 
with vigor, and a scene of indescribable confusion en- 
sued. Many of the 5th regiment were mingled with 
the 6th New York, some unrecognized, and some as 
prisoners ; and as soon as the heads of the two columns 
closed, the cry arose, " Don't shoot ! don't shoot ! we 're 
friends ! " The place where the encounter occurred 
was shaded by woods on one side of the road, and the 
light was insufficient to distinguish between friends and 
foes. The 6th New York scattered for the moment 
in the woods, and, all uncertain whether he had not 



LEE CONCENTRATES AT CHANCELLORSVILLE. 231 

made a mistake and charged one of our own regiments, 
Colonel Carter withdrew his men a short distance and 
awaited further developments. This gave the 6th New 
York the road to Chancellorsville, and they speedily 
availed themselves of it, leaving at the forks of the 
road a picket, which was soon afterward captured by 
the 2d Virginia Cavalry. The 3d regiment lost one 
man wounded in this affair. During the fight all of 
the prisoners which had been taken from the 5th Vir- 
ginia Cavalry made their escape. Lieutenant-Colonel 
McVicker was killed at the head of his regiment. 
His body was carried off by his friends ; but several 
of his men were buried on the field on the following 
day. 

While these events were transpiring on his left flank, 
General R. E. Lee was moving the larger part of his 
army from Fredericksburg toward Chancellorsville, and 
at eight o'clock a. m. on the 1st of May had concen- 
trated near that point all of his force except Early's di- 
vision of Jackson's corps and Barksdale's brigade of Mc- 
Laws' division, which remained at Fredericksburg. At 
eleven o'clock a. m. Anderson's and McLaws' divisions 
advanced, and were soon engaged in severe fighting, 
the result of which was that the Federal army fell back 
within the strong defensive line which later surrounded 
their position at Chancellorsville. During the move- 
ments of this day the 4th Virginia Cavalry, under Col- 
onel Williams C. Wickham, and a portion of the 3d Vir- 
ginia Cavalry, under Colonel Thomas H. Owen, guarded 
the right flank of the Confederate army from the Mine 
Road to the Rappahannock, while the remainder of 
Fitz Lee's brigade protected the left flank. At about 
six o'clock in the evening, Wright's brigade of Ander- 
son's division was engaged at Welford's Old Furnace. 
Having no artillery, General Wright requested Stuart 



232 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

to aid him in this respect. Four guns belonging to the 
horse artillery battalion, under the immediate command 
of Major R. F. Beckham, were sent to General Wright, 
and were soon engaged with a superior force of the en- 
emy's artillery. Major Beckham states that " One gun 
from McGregor's battery, commanded by Lieutenant 
Bur well, had every man about it wounded, except one. 
The axle of another gun of the same battery was cut 
nearly in two." General Stuart himself was present on 
this occasion, and it was here that he sustained an ir- 
reparable loss in the death of his assistant adjutant-gen- 
eral, Major R. Channing Price. A piece of a shell cut 
an artery, and before medical assistance could be pro- 
cured he had bled beyond recovery. He had won his 
promotion from the rank of lieutenant and aid-de-camp 
under the eyes of his own general, to whom he had 
made himself a necessity. His years were few, but his 
character was strong and mature. 

During the 2d of May that part of the cavalry which 
was on the Confederate left was engaged in the deli- 
cate operation of screening from view the movement 
of Jackson's three divisions around the Federal right 
wing. The 1st Virginia Cavalry marched in advance 
of Jackson's column, while the 2d and 5th regiments 
and part of the 3d interposed between the enemy 
and its right flank. After the rear of A. P. Hill's di- 
vision had passed the Furnace, and while Jackson's 
ordnance train was on the road, the enemy made an- 
other determined attempt to pierce the line at this 
point. Two divisions of the 3d army corps, under the 
personal command of General D. E. Sickles, penetrated 
to the Furnace, and ultimately gained possession of the 
road upon which Jackson's corps had passed. Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel W. R. Carter, of the 3d Virginia Cav- 
alry, commanded the picket at the Furnace ; and by 



FITZ LEE RECONNOITRES IN PERSON. 233 

his activity a sufficient force was obtained to check the 
attack. Colonel J. Thompson Brown furnished two 
guns from his battalion of artillery ; two companies 
of the 14th Tennessee Infantry, under Captain W. S. 
Moore, who had just been relieved from picket, were 
induced to move immediately to the point of danger ; 
and General Archer, when notified by Colonel Carter of 
the attack, moved back his own brigade and Thomas', 
and engaged the enemy. Sickles' advance was checked 
until the last of Jackson's train had passed in safety ; 
when General Archer, having been relieved by troops 
from McLaws' division, moved on to join his corps. 

Meanwhile General Fitz Lee, who commanded in 
person the cavalry which preceded Jackson's column, 
had reached the plank road, and had halted his com- 
mand to await the arrival of the infantry. To improve 
the time he made a personal reconnoissance, which re- 
vealed the fact that a force advancing on the turnpike 
would. take in reverse the right of the enemy's line of 
battle. Fully appreciating the importance of the dis- 
covery he had made, General Lee hurriedly returned 
along the line of march until he met General Jackson, 
whom he conducted in person to the same point of 
observation. " Below, and but a few hundred yards 
distant, ran the Federal line of battle. There was the 
line of defence, with abatis in front, and long lines of 
stacked arms in rear. Two cannon were visible in the 
part of the line seen. The soldiers were in groups 
in the rear, laughing, chatting, smoking ; probably 
engaged, here and there, in games of cards, and other 
amusements indulged in when feeling safe and com- 
fortable, awaiting orders. In the rear were other par- 
ties driving up and butchering beeves. 1 " 

General Jackson immediately ordered his troops to 

1 General Fitzliugh Lee's Chancellorsville Address. 



234 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

cross the plank road and take position on the turnpike. 
At six o'clock p. m. everything was ready for the at- 
tack, and before dark the right of Hooker's army had 
been hurled back upon the position at Chancellorsville. 
The only artillery employed in this attack was from 
the battalion of horse artillery, under the command of 
Major R. F. Beckham, who thus modestly describes the 
part taken by his guns : — 

Under instructions from Major-General Stuart I had placed 
two pieces in the turnpike, under the command of Captain 
Breathed, and held them in readiness for the advance of our 
infantry. Two other pieces, immediately in rear, were kept as 
a relief to Breathed from time to time, the width of road not 
allowing more than two pieces in action at once. Captain 
Moorman's battery was still farther in rear, to be brought 
up in case of accident. I was directed by the major-general 
commanding as our line started forward to advance with them, 
keeping a few yards in rear of our line of skirmishers. This 
we did not entirely succeed in doing, owing to the narrow 
space in which the pieces had to be manoeuvred and the ob- 
structions encountered at various points along the road. I am 
glad, however, that I can report that we were able to keep up 
almost a continuous fire upon the enemy from one or two guns, 
from the very starting-point up to the position where our lines 
halted for the night. 

Major Beckham reaped a rich reward for his ser- 
.vices. His conduct attracted the attention of General 
Jackson. Meeting him in the road at the first pause 
of the battle, Jackson leaned forward on his horse, 
and extended his hand to Beckham, with the words, 
" Young man, I congratulate you." 1 

The two sections of Breathed 's battery were com- 
manded by Captain James Breathed and Lieutenant 
(afterwards Major) P. P. Johnston. While the front 
section was engaged in firing, the section in rear was 

1 This incident was related to the author by Major Beckham. 



STUART COMMANDS JACKSON'S CORPS. 235 

limbered up and ready to move. "When the infantry 
had advanced beyond the guns, the front section ceased 
firing, and the rear section was moved forward at a 
gallop, often taking position in advance of the infan- 
try. The strain upon the gunners was excessive, and 
Breathed's men were aided by volunteers from Moor- 
man's battery in the rear, who came forward to supply 
the places of those who fell from exhaustion. 

Finding no room for the use of his cavalry on the 
field of battle, Stuart asked permission of Jackson to 
take it and a small force of infantry, and hold the road 
to Ely's Ford. The permission was readily granted, 
and the 16th North Carolina Infantry was placed under 
his orders. Stuart reached the hills adjacent to the 
ford and found there Averell's division of cavalry. 
While making dispositions for an attack, he received 
the information, through Captain Adams, of General 
A. P. Hill's staff, that both Jackson and Hill had been 
wounded, and that the command of Jackson's corps 
devolved on him. The 16th North Carolina had al- 
ready been deployed in line. Stuart ordered the officer 
commanding this regiment to fire three rounds into 
the enemy's camp, and then retire and rejoin his 
brigade. Without awaiting the result of this attack, 
and leaving Fitz Lee and his cavalry to guard the road 
from Ely's Ford, he hastened to assume the responsi- 
bility which had so unexpectedly devolved upon him. 

The circumstances under which General Stuart took 
command of Jackson's corps were of a trying nature. 
It was about midnight when he reached the line of 
battle. The fact that Jackson had been borne wounded 
from the field could not be concealed ; and there was 
unmistakable evidence that the troops were shaken by 
the great disaster. Stuart had no information from 
the commanding general concerning his plans for the 



236 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

movement which Jackson had commenced ; and he 
was of course ignorant of the positions of the troops 
and the condition of the field. There was no possibil- 
ity of receiving immediate instructions from General 
Lee ; and when he requested suggestions from General 
Jackson he received the reply : " Tell General Stuart 
to act upon his own judgment and do what he thinks 
best ; I have implicit confidence in him." 1 He was 
even denied the assistance of a staff who could work 
efficiently under these trying circumstances ; for none 
of General Jackson's staff reported to him except Colo- 
nel A. S. Pendleton ; and his own staff made almost 
their first personal acquaintance with the commanders 
of Jackson's corps during that night and the following 
day. Moreover, the fall of Jackson developed the fact 
that no one of his subordinates had received from him 
the least intimation of his plans and intentions ; and 
that every one was ignorant of the topography of the 
battle-field. The enemy's artillery, of which a large 
force was concentrated near the Chancellorsville House, 
commanded the plank road, and ever and anon swept it 
with a fearful fire. A part of A. P. Hill's division, 
now thrown in advance and formed at right angles to 
the road, presented a solid front to the enemy; but 
Rodes and Colston had become mingled in great con- 
fusion by the ardor with which they had pursued the 
defeated enemy, and had been withdrawn to reform. 
On the right this confusion was greatly increased by an 
attack which had thrown back that flank until it rested 
nearly upon and parallel with the plank road. These 
facts were duly presented to Stuart by the infantry 
commanders, and he decided to defer further attack 
until morning. 

In order that the situation in which Stuart found 

1 Cooke's Life of Jackson, p. 430. 



SICKLES' RECONNOISSANCE. 237 

Jackson's corps may be understood, it is necessary to 
enter somewhat minutely into the details of the move- 
ments of the brigades which composed it, as they are 
presented in the Official Reports. 

It has already been indicated that Jackson's march 
toward the right of the Federal army had been observed 
at the point where his column passed near the Welford 
Furnace. This movement was interpreted by the Fed- 
eral commander as the beginning of a retreat toward 
Gordonsville ; and as early as twelve o'clock General 
Sickles, commanding the 3d army corps, was ordered to 
push forward two of his divisions on a reconnoissance. 
Three regiments of cavalry, under General Pleasonton, 
accompanied him. General Sickles advanced beyond 
the Welford Furnace, and gained the road upon which 
Jackson had passed. To oppose this movement, and to 
secure Jackson's trains, Archer's and Thomas' brigades, 
of A. P. Hill's division, which w r ere at that time about 
two miles from the Furnace, moved back and checked 
Sickles' advance until they were relieved by some of 
McLaws' troops. This delay prevented these brigades 
from taking any part in the battle of the evening of 
the 2d. General Sickles was well pleased with the 
early success of his reconnoissance. He had advanced 
nearly two miles ; had captured a number of prisoners ; 
and, having made satisfactory disposition of his forces, 
was about to advance to fresh conquests, when he was 
informed of the disaster which had overtaken the 11th 
corps. His own position was now precarious. Jackson's 
advance threatened to enclose his rear and cut off his 
retreat. General Sickles immediately commenced to 
withdraw his two divisions ; and, in order to gain time, 
requested General Pleasonton to check the enemy as 
much as possible with his cavalry and with artillery. 
The 8th Pennsylvania Cavalry, under Major Keenan, 



238 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

was ordered to interpose if possible between Jackson and 
the fugitives of the 11th corps. Major Keenan reached 
the plank road with a portion of his command, and made 
a gallant charge, which, it is claimed, checked for a short 
time the advance of Jackson's men. 1 The interval was 
improved by General Pleasonton, who succeeded in mass- 
ing twenty-two pieces of artillery on a clearing about 
eight hundred yards from the plank road, 2 and in such 
position as to command the front and right flank of 
the advancing Confederates. The importance of this 
position, which is designated in many of the reports 
as Fairview, but which is properly known as Hazel 
Grove, will appear as our narrative advances. To 
this place General Sickles conducted his two divisions. 
Although exposed to the demoralizing influence of 
the panic-stricken fugitives of the 11th corps, Sickles' 
troops maintained an unbroken formation ; and to them 
and to the artillery under General Pleasanton must 
be ascribed the honor of placing the first check upon 
Jackson's advance. This is made clear in the reports 
of Lieutenant-Colonel D. R. E. Winn and Colonel J. T. 
Mercer, commanding the 4th and 21st Georgia regi- 
ments of Doles' brigade. Colonel Winn states that 
when he reached this place he found himself in charge 
of about two hundred men of various commands, and 
facing two regiments of the enemy, which, with artil- 
lery, were posted on the cleared ridge obliquely to his 
left. While forming his line for attack, an officer, 
whom he supposed to be the commander of the Fed- 

1 Captain J. E. Carpenter, of the 8th Pennsylvania Cavalry, has de- 
scribed this charge in the Philadelphia Weekly Times, 29th of June, 1878. 
He says : "Five officers rode at the head of the cohimn — Major Huey, 
Major Keenan, Captain Arrowsmith, Adjutant Haddock, and the -writer. 
Of these only two escaped with their lives, and Huey alone came out with 
horse and rider uninjured." 

2 General Pleasonton's report says three hundred and eighty yards. 



PLEASONTON'S POSITION. 239 

eral troops in his front, rode toward his line. His men 
were ordered not to fire ; but when the officer had 
approached within a hundred yards, two men shot at 
him ; whereupon he returned to his lines, and a heavy 
artillery and infantry fire was opened. Colonel Winn 
returned this fire until his ammunition was exhausted. 
When his fire ceased, that of the enemy ceased also ; 
and without having been relieved or reinforced his 
command retired, after dark, to the plank road. Gen- 
eral Pleasonton describes this same incident. Being 
uncertain whether the troops in sight were Confeder- 
ates or a portion of the 11th corps, he sent his aid, 
Lieutenant Thompson, of the 1st New York Cavalry, 
to clear up the doubt. Lieutenant Thompson was in- 
duced to approach within fifty yards of the Confeder- 
ate line, along which no color was visible except an 
American flag in the centre battalion. In another mo- 
ment " the whole line in a most dastardly manner 
opened on him with musketry, dropped the American 
color, and displayed eight or ten rebel battle-flags." 
Lieutenant Thompson escaped unhurt, and Pleasonton 
opened on the Confederates with his guns. " This ter- 
rible discharge staggered them and threw the heads 
of their columns back on the woods, from which they 
opened a tremendous fire of musketry, bringing up 
fresh forces constantly, and striving to advance as fast 
as they were swept back by our guns." 

The importance of the position held by Pleasonton 
can hardly be exaggerated ; but he over-estimated the 
troops opposed to him. Two hundred men, under Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel Winn, supported on their left by the 
21st Georgia regiment, under Colonel Mercer, were the 
only troops attacking that point. In this same connec- 
tion it is worthy of notice how small a portion of Rodes' 
division operated on his right of the road Colquitt's 



240 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

and Ramseur's brigades had been diverted, early in the 
action, by a reported advance on their right flank ; and 
were, as General Rodes states, " deprived of any active 
participation." The brnnt of the battle on the right 
fell on Doles' brigade, with which was mingled a por- 
tion of Colston's brigade from the second line. As we 
have now seen, these were the troops which were con- 
fronted and checked by Pleasonton and Sickles. 

Night had now come on. The confusion in Rodes' 
and Colston's divisions was so great that an advance 
seemed inadvisable. General Rodes says : — 

I at once sent word to Lieutenant-General Jackson, urging 
him to push forward the fresh troops of the reserve line, in 
order that mine might be reformed. Riding forward on the 
plank road, I satisfied myself that the enemy had no line of 
battle between our troops and the heights of Chancellorsville, 
and on my return informed Colonel S. Crutchfield, chief of 
artillery of the corps, of the fact, and he opened his batteries 
on that point. The enemy instantly responded by a most ter- 
rific fire, which silenced our guns, but did little execution on 
the infantry, as it was mainly directed down the plank road, 
which was unoccupied except by our artillery. When the fire 
ceased General Hill's troops were brought up, and as soon as 
a portion were deployed in my front as skirmishers I com- 
menced withdrawing my men under orders from the lieuten- 
ant-general. 

It had not been an easy matter for A. P. Hill's divi- 
sion to maintain its formation and still keep pace with 
the pursuit in which Rodes and Colston had been en- 
gaged ; and we find that only one of the four brigades 
present in this division was ready immediately to take 
the place of Rodes' men. This brigade was Lane's. 
General Lane says : — 

Here General A. P. Hill ordered me (at dark) to deploy one 
regiment as skirmishers across the road, to form line of battle 
in rear with the rest of the brigade, and to push vigorously 



GENERAL LANE'S NARRATIVE. 241 

forward. In other words, we were ordered to make a night 
attack and capture the enemy's batteries in front if possible. 
Just then they opened a terrific artillery fire, which was re- 
sponded to by our batteries. As soon as this was over I de- 
ployed the 33d North Carolina troops forward as skirmishers, 
and formed line of battle to the rear, — the 7th and 37th to 
the right, and the 18th and 28th to the left, — the left of the 
37th and the right of the 18th resting on the road. 

It is manifest from the reports both of General Lane 
and of General Rodes that the fire of the Federal artil- 
lery from the Chancellorsville hill delayed the move- 
ments of Hill's division in relieving Rodes' line ; and 
that Rodes' division was withdrawn, by order of Gen- 
eral Jackson, before even one brigade had completely 
deployed in its front. Lane's brigade, being at first 
required to occupy both sides of the road, could not, 
and did not cover the line from which Rodes withdrew. 
Confirmation of this is to be found in the reports of 
the officers commanding the 4th and 21st Georgia regi- 
ments of Doles' brigade, which show that these regi- 
ments were withdrawn from the position confronting 
Pleasonton and the two divisions of Sickles' corps, 
without having been replaced by any other troops. 
More interesting proof of the same fact is found in 
the following extract from a letter written to the au- 
thor by General James H. Lane, under date of May 14, 
1885: — 

I was not in line, but was ordered to move along the road 
by the right flank, immediately in rear of the artillery com- 
manded by my friend, Stapleton Crntchfield. When this artil- 
lery halted in the road near the last line of breastworks from 
which the enemy had been driven, I was immediately behind 
it, and was kept standing in the road a short time. Here, 
about dark, I was ordered by General A. P. Hill in person to 
form my brigade, as described in my official report, for a night 
attack. As General Hill rode off I called my command to 
16 



242 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

attention ; and just then our artillery opened fire down the 
plank road in the direction of Chancellorsville. This drew a 
most terrific fire from the enemy's artillery in our front, and I 
at once ordered my men to lie down, as they were enfiladed, 
and I thought it would be madness to attempt to move them 
under such circumstances, in the dark, and through such a 
woods. Not long afterwards I heard Colonel Palmer, of Gen- 
eral Hill's staff, inquiring for me, as it was too dark for him 
to recognize me, though we were not far apart. I called him ; 
and he informed me that General Hill wished to know why I 
did not form my command as I had been ordered. I requested 
him to tell General Hill, if he wished me to do so success- 
fully, he would have to order our artillery to cease firing, as 
I thought the enemy's fire was in reply to ours. The message 
was delivered, and Hill at once ordered Braxton, through 
Palmer, to cease firing ; and as I expected, the enemy also 
ceased. 

When I threw forward my first regiment as skirmishers, I 
ordered them to go well to the front, as we were to make a 
night attack ; and to be very careful not to fire into any of 
Rodes' men, whom we would relieve. When the colonel com- 
manding this regiment reported to me after the deployment, 
he informed me that there were none of Rodes' men in my 
front. 

As soon as I had formed my whole command as ordered, I 
rode back from the right to the plank road, to know of General 
Hill if I must advance at once or await orders. On reaching the 
road I met General Jackson, who, strange to say, recognized 
me first, and remarked : " Lane, for whom are you looking ? " 
(I was a cadet at the Virginia Military Institute under the old 
hero.) I told him, and for what purpose ; and then remarked 
that as General Hill was acting under his orders, and I did not 
know where to find him, it would save time were he to tell me 
what to do. He replied : " Push right ahead, Lane ! " accom- 
panying his order with a pushing gesture of his right hand in 
the direction of Chancellor's house, and then rode forward. I 
at once rode to the right to put my line in motion ; when the 
colonel on that flank advised me not to move, as his men had 
heard the talking and movement of troops on their flank. 



JACKSON AND HILL WOUNDED. 243 

Lieutenant Emack and four men were sent out to reconnoitre, 
and they soon returned with the 128th Pennsylvania regiment, 
commanded by a Lieutenant-Colonel Smith. Emack, on en- 
countering them, put on a bold front and advised them to 
throw clown their arms, as they were cut off by Jackson's 
corps. I was present when the lieutenant marched them in 
from the right, between my line of skirmishers and the main 
line, and they were without arms. Soon after they were halted 
in front of my right regiment, some one rode up from the front 
to the right of my skirmish line, and called for General Wil- 
liams. Instead of capturing this individual, some of my skir- 
mishers fired upon him, and he escaped unhurt, as far as we 
know. This seemed to cause a fire along the skirmish line, 
and the enemy's artillery again opened a terrific fire. It was 
then that General Jackson was wounded, as I have always 
thought, by the 18th regiment, of my brigade. This regiment 
undoubtedly fired into Hill and his staff; and they were not 
to blame, as I had told them that the enemy only were in 
their front, and that they must keep a sharp lookout. They 
were formed in low, dense, scrubby oaks, on the left of the 
road, and knew nothing of these generals having gone to the 
front. When the skirmish and artillery fire caused them and 
their staffs to turn back, there was a loud clattering: of horses' 

7 o 

hoofs, and some one cried out, " Yankee cavalry ! " 

From that unknown person's riding up, and calling for the 
Yankee General Williams, it is evident that they had a line 
in our front, possibly at the edge of the woods, Chancellors- 
ville side, where they had their breastworks the next morning. 
My skirmish line was in the woods on the crest of the hill, 
and my main line on the right of the works last captured by 
Rodes. My line on the left was further advanced. General 
Pender rode into the woods inquiring for me just as I had 
ordered my right forward, and advised me not to advance, 
as Generals Jackson and Hill had both been wounded, and it 
was thought by my command. I did not advance ; and was 
subsequently ordered by General Heth to withdraw that part 
of my brigade on the left of the road and prolong, my line on 
the right. 

This, then, seems to have been the exact position of 



244 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

the troops when Jackson was wounded : Rodes' and 
Colston's divisions had been withdrawn, incapable of 
action on account of the disorder consequent on the 
victory which they had won. Of A. P. Hill's brigades, 
Lane's alone was formed in line of battle, and in such 
position that any immediate advance would have ex- 
posed his right flank and rear, now uncovered by the 
withdrawal of Doles' brigade. Heth, Pender, and Mc- 
Gowan were on the plank road, marching through the 
confused regiments and brigades of Rodes and Colston ; 
while Archer and Thomas were still some miles in the 
rear, hurrying on to overtake their division, from which 
they had been separated by the necessity of meeting 
Sickles at the Welford Furnace. 

It is proper now to notice the location of the Federal 
troops. The position of the two divisions of the 3d 
corps, which were with General Sickles, has already 
been described. The 1st division of the 12th corps, 
commanded by Major-General A. S. Williams, had been 
sent forward early in the afternoon to cooperate with 
General Sickles' attack at the Welford Furnace. Upon 
the first intelligence of the defeat of the 11th corps, 
Williams' division was ordered to return to its former 
line. Before it could reach this point the Confederates 
had it in possession, but this division did reach the 
plank road in time to form line of battle on the south 
side of that road before dark. The 2d division of the 
3d corps, Hooker's old division, commanded by Major- 
General Berry, together with one brigade of the 2d 
corps, had been held in reserve near Chancellorsville. 
These troops were now moved forward through the tide 
of the fugitives of the 11th corps, and formed line of 
battle on the north side of the plank road, connecting 
with General Williams. This line of battle was formed 
on the Chancellorsville side of the woods in which the 



DEATH OF COLONEL MALLORY. 245 

Confederate advance had halted, and in which the bat- 
tle was renewed on the following morning. About live 
hundred yards in rear of this line Captain C. L. Best, 
chief of artillery of the 12th corps, had massed thirty- 
four pieces of artillery. The official reports leave no 
reasonable doubt that all of these troops were in the 
positions indicated at the time when Lane's brigade 
formed line of battle, with orders to " push right ahead." 
While Jackson was being carried from the field, 
Heth's brigade was approaching, marching by the flank. 
General Heth says : — 

On reaching the position on the road occupied by General 
Hill, he directed me to deploy two regiments — one on the right 
the other on the left of the road — to check the enemy, who were 
then advancing. These movements had not been completed 
before the enemy opened heavily upon the 55th Virginia regi- 
ment. It was here that gallant and promising officer, Colonel 
F. Mallory, was killed. Soon after, General Hill informed me 
that he was wounded, and directed me to take command of the 
division. General Lane's brigade at this time was in line of 
battle on the right of the road, occupying the breastworks 
from which the enemy had been driven. I directed General 
Pender to form his brigade in line of battle on the left of the 
road, occupying the deserted breastworks of the enemy. Be- 
fore the remaining brigade could be placed in line of battle, 
the enemy, under General Sickles, advanced and attacked Gen- 
eral Lane's right. 

The " remaining brigade " to which General Heth 
refers was McGowan's, which, Ave learn from the reports 
of General Rodes and Colonel D. H. Hamilton, had been 
halted to guard one of the roads leading from the plank 
road to the position held by Pleasonton and Sickles. 

As soon as Heth's and Pender's brigades came into 
position, Lane withdrew his two regiments, which had 
been on the left of the road, and with them extended 
his right flank. Even then he was not able to occupy 






246 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

the whole of the line from which Doles' brigade had 
been withdrawn. General Lane says : — 

General A. P. Hill being wounded, the night attack was not 
made, as at first contemplated. I withdrew the left wing of 
the 33d, which formed on the right of the 7th, and extended 
our line still further to the right with the 18th and 28th regi- 
ments, the right of the 28th resting on a road running ob- 
liquely to the plank road, with two of its companies broken 
back to guard against a flank movement. Between twelve and 
one o'clock that night the enemy could be heard marshalling 
their troops along our whole front, while their artillery was 
rumbling up the road on our right. Soon after, their artillery 
opened right and left, and Sickles' command rushed upon us 
with loud and prolonged cheering. They were driven back on 
our left by our skirmishers, but the fight was more stubborn 
on the right, which was their main point of attack. The 18th, 
28th, and left wing of the 33d engaged them there and gal- 
lantly drove them back, although they had outflanked us, and 
encountered the two right companies of the 28th, which had 
been deflected in anticipation of such a movement. A subse- 
quent attack made about half an hour later was similarly re- 
pulsed. The 28th captured a staff officer. The colors of the 
3d Maine volunteers were taken by Captain Niven Clark's 
company, of the same regiment. The 18th also captured an 
aid to General Williams. A number of field and company 
officers and a large number of men were captured along our 
whole line. After the enemy were repulsed, General McGowan 
was ordered forward with his brigade and took position on our 
right. 

General Sickles claims as the result of this night at- 
tack that " all of our guns and caissons and a portion 
of Whipple's mule train were recovered, besides two 
pieces of the enemy's artillery and three caissons cap- 
tured." General Sickles also claims to have reached 
the plank road with a portion of his command. In the 
last statement General Sickles is certainly in error ; 
for the plank road was closely occupied with troops as 



EESULTS OF SICKLES' NIGHT ATTACK. 247 

far back as Melzi Chancellor's, and none of them were 
aware of his presence. But there can be no doubt that 
he made the recoveries, and perhaps even the captures 
he claims; and this circumstance reveals to us in the 
strongest light the extremely hazardous position of 
Jackson's corps so long as Hazel Grove was in the pos- 
session of the enemy. Had Sickles actually thrown 
a heavy force as far forward as the plank road, he 
would have divided Jackson's corps. But this much 
praised night attack seems to have been of short dura- 
tion and feeble character. On his right, General 
Sickles' troops made no impression on the firm lines of 
Lane's brigade ; on his left, they were content to re- 
gain the lines which had been carried in the evening 
by Doles' brigade, and abandoned soon after dark. The 
heavy artillery fire which accompanied the night attack 
penetrated to the plank road and caused many casual- 
ties ; but Lane's brigade was the only body of Confed- 
erate troops which was assailed. The reports from 
Colquitt's brigade, which relieved McGowan's, concur in 
stating that the brigade was moved forward to support 
a battery, and was subjected for a short time to a se- 
vere artillery fire, and even to musketry fire ; but that 
no engagement ensued. 

Stuart's report seems to be at fault as to the hour 
when he took command of Jackson's corps. He states 
that he reached the front at ten o'clock p. m., but his 
subsequent description of the positions in which he 
found the troops shows that he was not on the field 
until after the attack made by Sickles, which a major- 
ity of the reports locate at midnight. General Rodes' 
report agrees with this. He says : — 

Soon after this occurrence I was informed that Lieutenant- 
General Jackson was wounded, and also received a message 
from Major-General Hill that he likewise was disabled, and 



248 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. ' 

that the command of the corps devolved on me. Without loss 
of time I communicated with Brigadier- Generals Heth and 
Colston, commanding respectively the divisions of A. P. Hill 
and Trimble, and made the necessary arrangements for a re- 
newal of the attack in the morning, it being agreed that the 
troops were not in condition to resume operations that night. 
Just at this time (about twelve o'clock) the enemy made an 
attack on our right, but, being feeble in its character and 
promptly met, it lasted but a short time. Very soon after, 
Major-General J. E. B. Stuart, who had been sent for by Ma- 
jor A. S. Pendleton, assistant adjutant-general of Lieutenant- 
General Jackson, arrived on the ground and assumed command. 

The report of General A. P. Hill confirms General 
Rodes' statements, and both of these reports show that 
before Stuart's arrival the judgment of the ranking 
officers of Jackson's corps was opposed to any further 
advance on that night. 

Such was the situation when Stuart reached the 
field. The details have been thus minutely described 
in order that an intelligent opinion may be formed as 
to whether his action was all that the occasion de- 
manded. 

Soon after Stuart assumed command he directed 
Colonel (afterwards Brigadier-General) E. P. Alexan- 
der, upon whom the command of Jackson's artillery 
had devolved when Colonel Crutchfield was wounded, 
to make reconnoissance of the field of battle, and post 
artillery in readiness for an attack early in the morn- 
ing. General Alexander's report contains the follow- 
ing accurate description of the ground on which the 
fighting occurred on the 3d of May : — 

A careful examination showed that our attack must be made 
entirely through the dense wood in front of us, the enemy 
holding his edge of it with infantry protected by abatis and 
breastworks, supported by a numerous and powerful artillery 
in the fields behind, within canister range of the woods. 



( 




NOTE. 
Unas of Battle jh 
R&y timid at OaybrtaA May J./S63 
Conf*o(»ratn . 

frdtral 

Seal* 



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MB. 



HAZEL GROVE. 249 

There were hut two outlets through which our artillery could 
be moved — one on the plank road, debouching within four 
hundred yards of twenty-seven of the enemy's guns protected 
by breastworks and enfiladed for a long distance by a part of 
them, as well as by two guns behind a breastwork thrown up 
across the road abreast of their line of abatis and infantry 
cover ; the second outlet was a cleared vista or lane through 
the pines (a half mile south of the plank road) some two hun- 
dred yards long by twenty-five wide. This opened on a cleared 
ridge, held by the enemy's artillery, about four hundred yards 
distant. This vista was reached from the plank road by two 
small roads : No. 1 leaving the plank road near our infantry 
lines and running parallel with and close behind them to the 
head of the vista, where it crossed them and went perpendicu- 
larly down the vista to the enemy's position ; thence it bore 
to the left and north, and, crossing a ravine, came upon the 
plateau in front of Chancellorsville at the south end of the en- 
emy's line of artillery breastworks. Road No. 2 left the 
plank road a half mile behind our lines and ran into Road No. 
1 at the head of the vista. 

It is hardly necessary to say that the " cleared ridge " 
of which General Alexander speaks was Hazel Grove, 
the position held by Pleasonton and Sickles on the even- 
ing of the 2d, and that Road No. 1 was the outlet by 
which the 8th Pennsylvania Cavalry gained the plank 
road and charged upon Iverson's brigade. Colonel Al- 
exander's reconnoissance convinced Stuart that Hazel 
Grove was the key to the Federal line ; and to this 
part of the field Stuart directed a large share of his 
personal attention on the morning of the 3d. 

Jackson's men had eaten nothing for twenty-four 
hours except such provisions as they had obtained from 
the haversacks of the 11th corps. Rations w r ere on 
hand for a part of the command, and some of the gen- 
eral officers were urgent that the men be allowed time 
to eat. But Stuart had received orders just before day, 
from General Robert E. Lee, to begin the attack as 



250 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

soon as possible. Before sunrise the right flank, which 
had been thrown back during the night, was advanced 
to bring it parallel with the rest of the line, and the 
battle opened at once with great fury. It is unneces- 
sary to describe with minuteness the movements of this 
morning. Immediately on the plank road the battle 
assumed the phase of an infantry duel, and the oppos- 
ing lines stood for hours delivering steady volleys into 
each other's faces. On the Confederate left there was 
greater activity. Charges were made, and ground was 
gained, lost, and retaken. The deciding contest was 
all this time raging on the Confederate right, where 
Pender's and McGowan's brigades, of A. P. Hill's di- 
vision (Heth's command), parts of Rodes' and Iver- 
son's brigades, of D. H. Hill's division (Rodes' com- 
mand), and Colston's, Jones', and Paxton's brigades, of 
Trimble's division (Colston's command), united in the 
attack upon Hazel Grove, where the Federal artillery 
and infantry were posted in force. The contest here 
was of the most desperate nature, but the ridge was at 
last carried, and its great importance was apparent at a 
glance. Nearly the whole of the Federal line about 
Chancellorsville was enfiladed from this ridge, and a 
position was gained which commanded the Federal 
artillery about the Chancellorsville House. Stuart im- 
mediately ordered thirty pieces of artillery to occupy 
the ridge, and, aided by their fire, his whole line was 
advanced. A desperate struggle now ensued for the 
possession of the Chancellorsville clearing. Two unsuc- 
cessful charges were made upon the Federal entrench- 
ments. They were carried by the third charge ; con- 
nection was made with Anderson on the right, and the 
whole Federal force was swept back into the woods 
north of Chancellorsville. 

The personal bearing of Stuart created great enthu- 



JACKSON'S DESIGNS. 251 

siasm among the troops. General Lane says in his 
report that Stuart led two eharges which were made 
by the 28th North Carolina regiment, and in the let- 
ter from which an extract has already been made he 

says : — 

That afternoon, when the 28th rejoined me on the left, where 
I had been ordered to support Colquitt, its colonel, Thomas L. 
Lowe, was perfectly carried away with Stuart. He not only 
spoke of his dash, but he told me he heard him singing, " Old 
Joe Hooker, won't you get out of the wilderness ! " and he 
wound up by saying, " Who would have thought it ? Jeb 
Stuart in command of the 2d army corps ! " 

The imagination of the. people of the South has 
drawn a picture of the annihilation of Hooker's army 
on this field, as a catastrophe which was averted only 
by the fall of Jackson. The real foundation of this 
opinion is perhaps to be found in that valuable work, 
" The Life of Lieutenant-General Jackson," by the Rev. 
R. L. Dabney, D. D., whose distinguished abilities, as 
well as the confidential relations he held with General 
Jackson as major and assistant adjutant -general on 
his staff, entitle his statements to the fullest credence. 
On page 699 Dr. Dabney says : — 

But we are not left in doubt concerning General Jackson's 
own designs. Speaking afterwards to his friends, he said that 
if he had had an hour more of daylight, or had not been 
wounded, he should have occupied the outlets toward Ely's 
and United States fords, as well as those on the west. (It has 
already been explained that of the four roads diverging from 
Chancellorsville, the one which leads north, after proceeding 
for a mile and a half in that direction, turns northwestward, 
and divides into two, the left-hand leading to Ely's and the 
right-hand to United States Ford. And the point of their 
junction, afterwards so carefully fortified by Hooker, was on 
Saturday night entirely open.) General Jackson proposed, 
therefore, to move still further to his left during the night, and 



252 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

occupy that point. He declared that if he had been able to 
do so the dispersion or capture of Hooker's army would have 
been certain. "For," said he, "my men sometimes fail to 
drive the enemy from their position, but the enemy are never 
able to drive my men from theirs." . . . General Stuart now 
departed from the plans of General Jackson by extending his 
right rather than his left, so as to approximate the Confederate 
troops on the southeast of Chancellorsville, under the imme- 
diate command of General Lee. Thus the weight of his attack 
was thrown against the southwest side of Hooker's position. 
General Jackson would rather have thrown it against the 
northwest. But the true design of the latter was to assume 
the defensive for a few hours on Sabbath morning, after occu- 
pying both the Orange turnpike and the road to Ely's Ford. 
He purposed to stand at bay there, and receive amidst the 
dense thickets the attack which he knew this occupation of his 
line of retreat would force upon Hooker, while General Lee 
thundered upon his other side. Then after permitting him to 
break his strength in these vain assaults he would have ad- 
vanced upon his disheartened masses, over ground defended by 
no works, and Hooker would have been crushed between the 
upper and the nether millstones. To comprehend the plausi- 
bility of this design, it must be remembered that Chancellors- 
ville, with its few adjoining farms, was an island, completely 
environed by a sea of forests, through whose tangled depths 
infantry could scarcely march in line, and the passage of car- 
riages was impossible. Of the four roads which centred at 
the Villa General Lee held two, — the old turnpike and the 
plank road leading toward Fredericksburg. General Jackson 
proposed to occupy the other two. Had this been done, the 
strong defence of the surrounding woods, in which Hooker 
trusted, would have been his ruin, for he would have found 
his imaginary castle his prison. The necessity which com- 
pelled him again to take the aggressive in the leafy woods 
would have thrown the advantage vastly to General Jackson, 
by rendering the powerful Federal artillery, in which they so 
much trusted, a cipher, and by requiring the Federals to come 
to close quarters with the terrible Confederate infantry. And 
this was work always more dreaded by them than the meeting 



STUART ADOPTS A SUCCESSFUL PLAN. 253 

of a " bear bereaved of her whelps." But on the southwest 
side of his position, within the open farm of Chancellor, 
Hooker had constructed a second and interior line of works, 
upon the brow of a long declivity, consisting of a row of lu- 
nettes, pierced for artillery, and of rifle-pits. General Stu- 
art's line of battle, after winning the barricade, once before 
won by General Jackson, and emerging from 'the belt of woods 
which, enveloped it, found themselves confronted by these 
works, manned by numerous batteries, and hence the cruel 
loss at which the splendid victory of Sunday was won. 

However presumptuous it may appear to say that 
anything was impossible to Jackson, the assertion is 
ventured that the successful execution of such a plan 
as that indicated by Dr. Dabney was not possible, and 
that had Jackson remained in command of his corps 
he must have adopted the plan which Stuart so success- 
fully carried out. 

To have gained the junction of the roads to Ely's 
and United States fords on the night of the 2d of May 
it would have been necessary for Jackson either to 
proceed along the plank road to Chancellorsville, turn- 
ing thence northward, or to march his men through 
the dense and pathless forest for the distance of a mile, 
leaving Chancellorsville on his right hand, and still in 
the possession of Hooker. In the former case it would 
have been necessary for him to drive before him the 
entire Federal force then concentrated at Chancellors- 
ville, still leaving open to it the line of retreat to the 
United States Ford. In the latter case, even if it had 
been possible for the infantry to have overcome the 
difficulties of such a march, Jackson, deprived of his 
artillery, would have found himself enclosed between 
Hooker, at Chancellorsville, and the 1st army corps, 
under Reynolds, which, fresh except from marching, 
reached the United States Ford at sunset, and, hurrying 
on toward the battle-field, took position before daylight 



254 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

on the very ground which Jackson would have covered. 
General Doubleday states that Hooker had 37,000 men 
who " were kept out of the fight, most of whom had 
not fired a shot, and all of whom were eager to go in. 
The whole of the 1st corps and three fourths of the 
5th corps had not been engaged." 1 Had Jackson been 
assailed by these troops, in front and rear, at the junc- 
tion of the roads to the fords, the result must have 
been disastrous. 

I am informed by Dr. Dabney that the statements 
which I have quoted from his " Life of Jackson " were 
made on the authority of the gentlemen of Jackson's 
staff who attended him during his last days. There 
can, therefore, be no doubt of their accuracy, and no 
doubt of the fact that Jackson's original intention was 
to fight by his left rather than by his right. But Jack- 
son was too great a soldier to hold to a preconceived 
plan when the developments of the battle-field pointed 
in another direction. Darkness had overtaken his in- 
complete victory. He was ignorant of the topography 
of the battle-field, and really lost his life in the attempt 
to acquaint himself with it. He was ignorant of the 
position held by Pleasonton and Sickles, so close to his 
right Hank and on ground which commanded the whole 
field. He was probably ignorant of the existence of a 
line of battle in his front, for General Rodes says that 
he satisfied himself that there was none, and so in- 
formed Colonel Crutchfield. Perhaps he gave the same 
information to Jackson. The events of the next few 
minutes must have disclosed the true state of affairs. 
Had Lane pushed " right ahead " he would have en- 
countered two divisions of Federal infantry. Had he 
been able to put these to flight, he would have been at 
once exposed to attack by Sickles' two divisions on his 

1 Chancellorsville and Gettysburg, p. 53. 



GENERAL E. P. ALEXANDER'S LETTER. 255 

right and rear, as well as to the fire of Captain Best's 
thirty-four guns in his front. This would have revealed 
the necessity of dislodging Sickles ; and when the bat- 
tle was once joined on the right, it could not have been 
relaxed until a junction was effected with Anderson. 

Almost immediately after the cessation of the battle 
at Chancellorsville, McLaws' division was sent towards 
Fredericksburg, to aid Early against Sedgwick. On 
the following day Anderson's division was sent in the 
same direction, leaving Stuart with Jackson's corps to 
watch Hooker at Chancellorsville. When the whole of 
the Federal army had retired across the Rappahannock, 
A. P. Hill resumed the command of Jackson's corps, 
and Stuart returned to his own division. 

I am permitted to make the following extract from a 
letter written to me on the 16th of May, 1885, by Gen- 
eral E. P. Alexander, whose distinguished abilities and 
eminent services give great weight to his utterances. 

Stuart rode with the first battery we brought out of the 
woods, and I well remember his enthusiasm and delight in 
recognizing the Chancellorsville House from the plank road 
where it debouches on the edge of the woods. 

Altogether, I do not think there was a more brilliant thing 
done in the war than Stuart's extricating that command from 
the extremely critical position in which he found it as promptly 
and as boldly as he did. We knew that Hooker had at least 
80,000 infantry at hand, and that his axemen were entrench- 
ing his position all night ; and in that thick undergrowth a 
very little cutting gave an abatis or entanglement that a rab- 
bit could hardly get through. The hard marching and the 
night fighting and manoeuvring had thinned our ranks to 
less than 20,000 ; and we had little chance in the night even 
to hunt for the best place to make our attack. But Stuart 
never seemed to hesitate or to doubt for one moment that he 
could just crash his way wherever he chose to strike. He de- 
cided to attack at daybreak ; and, unlike many planned at- 
tacks that I have seen, this one came off promptly on time, 



256 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

and it never stopped to draw its breath until it had crashed 
through everything and our forces stood united around Chan- 
cellor's burning house. 

I always thought it an injustice to Stuart and a loss to the 
army that he was not from that moment continued in com- 
mand of Jackson s corps. He had won the right to it. I be- 
lieve he had all of Jackson's genius and dash and originality, 
without that eccentricity of character which sometimes led to 
disappointment. For instance : Jackson went into camp near 
Shady Grove Church before sunset on the 26th of June, 1862, 
when he might have participated in the battle of Mechanics- 
ville. This, and his feeble action at White Oak Swamp, on 
the 30th of June, 1862, show that Jackson's spirit and inspi- 
ration were uneven. Stuart, however, possessed the rare qual- 
ity of being always equal to himself at his very best. 

That Sunday morning s action ought to rank with whatever 
else of special brilliancy can be found in the annals of the 
Army of Northern Virginia ; and as a test of the mettle of a 
commander it would be hard to conceive severer demands or 
more satisfactory results. 



CHAPTER XV. 

THE BATTLE OF FLEETWOOD. 

A consideration of the difficulties under which the 
cavalry of the Army of Northern Virginia labored will 
not be uninteresting to one who would form a true esti- 
mate of the services rendered by it. 

At the beginning of the war, the Confederate gov- 
ernment, charged as it was with the creation of an 
army and of war material of all kinds, felt itself unable 
to provide horses for the numerous cavalry companies 
which offered their services, especially from the State 
of Virginia. Many companies, organized as cavalry, 
were rejected. With those that were enrolled the gov- 
ernment entered into contract, the substance of which 
was that the cavalrymen should supply and own their 
horses, which would be mustered into service at a fair 
valuation ; that the government should provide feed, 
shoes, and a smith to do the shoeing, and should pay 
the men a per diem of forty cents for the use of their 
horses. Should a horse be hilled in action, the gov- 
ernment agreed to pay to the owner the muster valu- 
ation. Should the horse be captured in battle, worn 
out, or disabled by any of the many other causes which 
were incident to the service, the loss fell upon the owner, 
who was compelled to furnish another horse, under the 
same conditions, or be transferred to some other arm 
of the service. 

That the government should have adopted such a 

17 



258 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

policy at the beginning of the war was a misfortune ; 
that it should have adhered to it to the very end was a 
calamity against which no amount of zeal or patriotism 
could successfully contend. 

It is not in the spirit of unfriendly criticism that we 
to-day proclaim the unwisdom of such a policy. At the 
time, all acquiesced in it ; the cavalryman most cheer- 
fully of all. Virginia was full of horses of noble blood. 
The descendants of such racers as Sir Archy, Boston, 
Eclipse, Timoleon, Diomede, Exchequer, Red-Eye, and 
many others more or less famous on the turf, were 
scattered over the State. Gentlemen fond of following 
the hounds had raised these horses for their own use. 
They knew their fine qualities, their speed, endurance, 
and sure-footedness, and they greatly preferred to in- 
trust their safety in battle to their favorite steeds rather 
than to any that the government could furnish. But 
the government might have purchased these horses at 
the outset, and by suitable activity it might have pro- 
vided for replenishing the losses incurred in the ser- 
vice. The cavalrymen were kept mounted, but at an 
enormous loss of efficiency in the army, and by a sys- 
tem of absenteeism which sometimes deprived the cav- 
alry of more than half its numbers. Why should it 
have been thought that the people of Virginia would 
hold back their horses, when they refused nothing else 
to the government ? 

The evil results of this system were soon apparent, 
and rapidly increased as the war progressed. Perhaps 
the least of these was the personal loss it entailed upon 
the men. Many a gallant fellow whose horse had been 
irrecoverably lamed for the want of a shoe, or ridden to 
death at the command of his officer, or abandoned in 
the enemy's country that his owner might escape cap- 
ture, impoverished himself and his family in order that 



A MISTAKEN POLICY. 259 

he might keep his place in the ranks of his comrades 
and neighbors. Nor should it be a cause for wonder if 
this property question affected the courage of many a 
rider ; for experience soon proved that the horse as 
well as the man was in danger during the rough cav- 
alry melee. If the horse were killed the owner was 
compensated ; but a wounded horse was a bad invest- 
ment. 

By far the greatest evil of the system was the fact 
that whenever a cavalryman was dismounted, it was 
necessary to send him to his home to procure a re- 
mount. To accomplish this required from thirty to 
sixty days. The inevitable result was that an enor- 
mous proportion of the command was continuously 
absent. Many of the men were unable to procure fresh 
horses within the time specified in their " details," and 
the column of " Absent without leave " always presented 
an unsightly appearance. To punish such men seemed 
an injustice, and the relaxation of discipline on this 
point was abused by some with impunity. We have 
already seen that Fitz Lee's brigade, which should 
never have presented less than twenty-five hundred 
sabres in the field, was reduced to less than eight hun- 
dred at Kelly's Ford, on the 1 7th of March, and num- 
bered less than fifteen hundred men at the time of the 
battle of Chancellorsville, when many of the absentees 
had returned. 

Great as was this evil among the Virginia regiments, 
it operated with tenfold force upon the cavalry of 
Hampton's brigade. Think of sending a man from 
Virginia to South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, or 
Mississippi to procure a horse ! Recruiting camps were 
established in Virginia and in North and South Caro- 
lina, and every means which the cavalry commanders 
could devise were used to ameliorate this state of affairs. 



260 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

But the inevitable tendency was downwards ; and m 
the last year of the war hundreds of men were gath- 
ered together in the " Dismounted Camp," or, as the 
men called it, " Company Q," in the vain attempt to 
utilize good, but misplaced material. Special officers 
were appointed for these men, and the attempt was 
made to use them, dismounted, in various ways ; but 
with no success. The men were disheartened. Esprit 
du corps could by no possibility be infused into such an 
assemblage. Every man looked and longed for the 
time when his horse might be returned from the re- 
cruiting camp, or when some other kind providence 
might remount him and return him to his comrades. 
The penitentiary could not be more loathsome to him 
than his present condition, and yet even this was better 
than to give up all hope, and consent to a transfer to 
the infantry or artillery. 

The want of proper arms and equipments placed the 
Southern cavalry at a disadvantage which can hardly 
be overestimated. At the beginning of the war the 
troopers furnished their own saddles and bridles. The 
English round-tree saddle was in common use, and sore- 
backed horses multiplied with great rapidity. After 
a time the government furnished an unsightly saddle 
which answered a very good purpose ; for although 
the comfort of the rider was disregarded, the back of 
the horse was protected. Our best equipments were 
borrowed from our cousins of the North. The ques- 
tion of arming the cavalry was far more serious. Some 
of the more wealthy of the Virginia counties armed 
their cavalry companies with pistols when they were 
mustered into service, but whole regiments were desti- 
tute of them. Breech-loading carbines were procured 
only in limited quantities, never more than enough to 
arm one, or at most two squadrons in a regiment. The 



CAVALRY REVIEWS. 261 

deficiency was made up, generally, by Enfield rifles. 
Robertson's two North Carolina regiments, which joined 
Stuart in May, 1863, were armed with sabres and En- 
field rifles. The difference between a Spencer carbine 
and an Enfield rifle is by no means a mere matter of 
sentiment. 

Horseshoes, nails, and forges were procured with 
difficulty ; and it was not an uncommon occurrence to 
see a cavalryman leading his limping horse along the 
road, while from his saddle dangled the hoofs of a dead 
horse, which he had cut on for the sake of the sound 
shoes nailed to them. 

On the 22d of May, General Stuart reviewed the 
three brigades of Hampton and the two Lees, on the 
broad open fields which lie between Brandy Station 
and Culpeper Court House. About four thousand men 
assembled on that day. Shortly afterwards Jones' bri- 
gade arrived from the Valley, and Robertson's brigade 
from North Carolina, doubling the force under Stuart's 
command. He appointed another review on the 5th of 
June, at which it was expected General R. E. Lee would 
be present. In this Stuart was disappointed ; but, nev- 
ertheless, the pageantry of war proceeded. Eight thou- 
sand cavalry passed under the eye of their commander, 
in column of squadrons, first at a walk, and then at the 
charge, while the guns of the artillery battalion, on the 
hill opposite the stand, gave forth fire and smoke, and 
seemed almost to convert the pageant into real war- 
fare. It was a brilliant day, and the thirst for the 
" pomp and circumstance " of war was fully satisfied. 
It was not esteemed a matter of congratulation when 
on the 7th of June notice was received that the com- 
manding general desired to review the cavalry on the 
following day. The invitation could not be declined ; 
and on the 8th of June the brigades were assembled 



262 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

on the same field, and passed in review before the 
great leader of the Army of Northern Virginia. Much 
less of display was attempted on this occasion, for Gen- 
eral Lee, always careful not to tax his men unnecessa- 
rily, would not allow the cavalry to take the gallop, nor 
would he permit the artillerymen to work their guns. 
He would reserve all their strength for the serious work 
which must shortly ensue. The movement of his army 
which resulted in the Gettysburg campaign had com- 
menced. Longstreet and Ewell had already reached 
Culpeper Court House, and he wished his cavalry to 
move across the Rappahannock on the following day, to 
protect the flank of these corps as they moved north- 
ward. In preparation for this movement the brigades 
were, on the evening of the same day, moved down to- 
ward the river. Fitz Lee's brigade, commanded by Colo- 
nel T. T. Munford, having charge of the pickets on the 
upper Rappahannock, was, with the exception of the 4th 
Virginia Cavalry, moved across the Hazel River, and en- 
camped in the vicinity of Oak Shade. W. H. F. Lee's 
brigade was stationed near Welford's house on the road to 
Welford's Ford ; Jones' brigade on the road to Beverly's 
Ford ; while Robertson's brigade encamped between the 
Botts and Barbour farms, picketing the lower fords. 
Hampton's brigade returned to their camps between 
Brandy Station and Stevensburg. One battery of horse 
artillery was sent across the Hazel River with Fitz 
Lee's brigade, while the other four accompanied Jones' 
brigade to the vicinity of Saint James' Church. Orders 
were issued to march at an early hour on the 9th, and, 
ignorant of any concentration of the enemy's cavalry 
on the opposite side, the battalion of horse artillery biv- 
ouacked in advance of Jones' brigade, on the edge of 
the woods which skirt the large open field north of Saint 
James' Church. This church stood, not upon the direct 



BIVOUAC ON FLEETWOOD HILL. 263 

road to Beverly's Ford, but about two hundred yards 
to the west of that road. Opposite to it toward the 
east, and on the east side of the Beverly's Ford road, 
stood an old brick house known as the Thompson or 
Gee House, which in the winter of 1863-64 was occu- 
pied as a Federal hospital. Around it was a considera- 
ble grove of trees ; and the rise of the land gave it full 
command of the open field which extends on both sides 
of the Beverly's Ford road, for about five hundred 
yards toward the north. The 6th Virginia Cavalry 
encamped in this grove and in its vicinity. The camp 
of the horse artillery was in the edge of the woods 
beyond, but within sight and within supporting dis- 
tance. Beyond the camp of the horse artillery unbro- 
ken woods extended on both sides of the road for more 
than a mile, and as far as the hill which overlooks the 
river low-grounds and Beverly's Ford. From this hill 
the ford is distant about a mile. The camp of Jones' 
brigade and the horse artillery was at least two miles 
distant from Beverly's Ford. 

With all of his camp equipage — except two tent-flys 
— packed in the wagons and in readiness for an early 
start, Stuart himself bivouacked on the night of the 
8th on Fleetwood Hill, so called from the name of the 
residence there situated. For some time past he had 
occupied this hill as his headquarters. It is half a 
mile east of Brandy Station and four miles from Bev- 
erly's Ford. It commands the open plain around it 
in every direction except toward the Barbour House, 
which stands on ground a little more elevated. 

On the same evening General Pleasonton approached 
the northern bank of the Rappahannock, with the in- 
tention of effecting an early crossing on the morrow, 
and a reconnoissance in force as far as Culpeper Court 
House, if possible, to ascertain for General Hooker's 



264 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

information the truth of the reports that General Lee 
was moving his army westward and northward from 
Fredericksburg. He divided his command into two 
columns ; one of which, consisting of the 2d and 3d 
cavalry divisions and General David Russell's brigade 
of infantry, and commanded by Brigadier-General D. 
McM. Gregg, was ordered to cross at Kelly's Ford, 
about four miles below the railroad bridge ; the other, 
consisting of the 1st cavalry division, the reserve cav- 
alry brigade, and General Adelbert Ames' brigade of 
infantry, all under the command of Brigadier-General 
John Buford, was ordered to cross at Beverly's Ford, 
about a mile and a half above the railroad bridge. 
General Pleasonton accompanied General Buford's col- 
umn. No fires were allowed in the Federal bivouac, 
and the presence of this large force was perfectly con- 
cealed from the Confederate pickets. 

At the very first dawn of day on the 9th of June, 
Colonel B. F. Davis, of the 8th New York Cavalry, led 
his brigade across the river at Beverly's Ford. Com- 
pany A, 6th Virginia Cavalry, constituted the picket at 
the ford, and gallantly contested the enemy's advance, 
which, from the narrowness of the road and the wide 
ditches that crossed the low-grounds, was necessarily 
made in column of fours. This circumstance gave to 
the picket company some chance to delay the advance 
of the large attacking force, and Captain Gibson used 
his opportunity to the utmost. The picket was, how- 
ever, steadily and rapidly pressed backward to the 
edge of the woods which skirted the open field already 
described north of Saint James' Church, when Major C. 
E. Flournoy, commanding the 6th Virginia Cavalry, 
having collected about one hundred men of his regi- 
ment, charged down the road. He was met by the 8th 
New York and the 8th Illinois Cavalry, and drove them 



DEATH OF COLONEL DAVIS. 265 

back a short distance, with some loss in killed and 
prisoners. These gallant men certainly did their duty, 
for Major Flournoy reports a loss of thirty men in this 
encounter alone. Colonel B. F. Davis, commanding the 
Federal advance, was killed in this fight, and under the 
following circumstances. Lieutenant R. 0. Allen, of 
company D, 6th Virginia Cavalry, had just returned 
from picket duty, when the advance of the enemy was 
reported. He joined in the charge which has been 
mentioned, and his horse was badly wounded. When 
Flournoy retired after having checked the enemy, Allen 
remained in the woods. Seeing an officer in the road, 
perhaps seventy-five yards in front of a column which 
was halted, Allen advanced upon him with his horse at 
a canter. The officer's attention was given to his own 
men, toward whom he was waving his sword as if to or- 
der them forward. Remembering that he had but one 
shot in his pistol, Allen reserved his fire until within 
sword's length of his foe. Perceiving his danger, Colo- 
nel Davis turned upon Allen with a cut of his sabre, 
which Allen avoided by throwing himself on the side 
of his horse. At the same moment he fired and Colonel 
Davis fell. He met a soldier's fate, and at the hands 
of one as brave, as daring as himself. Sergeant Stone, 
of company H, 6th regiment, and Private Larue, of 
company D, now came forward to the assistance of 
Lieutenant Allen. Others -of the enemy advanced at 
the same moment. Serjeant Stone was killed almost 
instantly; and Allen and Larue, finding themselves 
alone in the presence of a large force, made a hasty 
retreat to their own lines. 

During all this time the position of the horse artil- 
lery was critical in the extreme. There was nothing 
between the guns and danger but Flournoy's men. 
Captain l James F. Hart's battery had gone into camp 

1 Afterwards Major. 



266 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

immediately on the road. Two guns from this battery 
were placed in position, and opened on the enemy, 
while the remainder of the battalion hastened back 
across the field to the line subsequently held at Saint 
James' Church. At this juncture General W. E. Jones 
brought up the 7th Virginia Cavalry, in hot haste, 
many of his men having mounted without their coats, 
and some even without waiting to saddle their horses. 1 
A charge was instantly made to support Flournoy, but 
it was repulsed by the enemy, and in the recoil the 7th 
was carried back past the guns stationed on the road. 
These gallant cannoneers on two occasions during this 
memorable day proved that they were able to care for 
themselves. Although now exposed to the enemy, they 
covered their own retreat with canister, and safely re- 
tired to the line at Saint James' Church, where they 
found efficient support. 2 The delay caused by the 
fighting of Jones' two regiments and Hart's two guns 
was sufficient to give safety to the other guns of the 
battalion and to the transportation. No loss occurred 
worthy of mention, except that in the hurried flight the 
desk of Major Beckham, commanding the artillery, was 
jostled from his wagon, and fell into the enemy's hands. 
The other regiments of Jones' brigade had now 
taken position on the left of Saint James' Church, and 
Hampton, with four of his regiments, had come in 
on the right. W. H. F. Lee, also, had advanced from 
Welford's down the river toward the firing, and had 
gained a strong position on the Cunningham farm, 
with excellent cover for his dismounted men behind 
the stone fence which runs northwest from near the 
overseer's house, with his artillery on the hill behind, 
near the Green House, and open ground around him 

1 Major James F. Hart, in the Philadelphia Weekly Times, 26th June, 
1880. 2 Ibid. 



BATTLE NEAR SAINT JAMES' CHURCH. 267 

in every direction. The importance of this position, as 
affecting events which soon transpired on other parts of 
the field, will be noticed hereafter. A determined at- 
tack was made upon W. H. F. Lee by the enemy's dis- 
mounted men, and by cavalry ; but it was repelled by 
the sharpshooters of the 9th Virginia Cavalry, aided by 
mounted charges made by the 10th Virginia and the 2d 
North Carolina regiments. The loss of the enemy at 
this point, especially in horses, is represented as having 
been unusually severe. 1 The enemy retired to the 
woods which covered the road to Beverly's Ford. The 
occasion now seemed favorable for an advance. Gen- 
eral W. H. F. Lee's position seriously threatened the 
Federal right and rear, while Hampton had extended 
his right so as to partially envelop their left in the 
woods beyond the field in front of Saint James' Church. 
Both Hampton and Jones now advanced. The ground 
was, however, fiercely contested by the Federal cavalry, 
and a brilliant charge across the open field was made 
by the 6th Pennsylvania Cavalry, supported by the 6th 
Regulars. Major Hart thus describes the scene : — 

From this time (near sunrise) until ten o'clock A. M., the en- 
gagement lingered along our front without anything notewor- 
thy except the gallant charges of the 6th Pennsylvania and of 

1 In endeavoring to write a truthful narrative of the events on this part 
of the field, I meet with great discouragement. Neither General Buford nor 
any of his subordinates wrote reports of this engagement. Neither did 
General W. H. F. Lee nor any of his subordinates make report of their 
action. I have been compelled to rely upon a careful personal study of the 
battle-field, which I have twice visited for this purpose (once in company 
with General W. H. F. Lee), together with such facts as I could learn 
from the article of Colonel F. C. Newhall, published in the Philadelphia 
Weekly Times, and from personal correspondence with surviving officers of 
the Federal cavalry who took part in this engagement. General R. L. T. 
Beale, then colonel of the 9th Virginia Cavalry, has written out for me his 
recollections of this day. There is no doubt that a severe fight took place 
on the ground that I have described, and, as far as I can judge, I have 
stated the result correctly. 



268 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

the Regulars, mentioned by Colonel Newhall in his careful nar- 
rative. The latter of these charges was made over a plateau 
fully eight hundred yards wide, and its objective point was the 
artillery at the church. Never rode troopers more gallantly 
than did those steady Regulars, as under a fire of shell and 
shrapnel, and finally of canister, they dashed up to the very 
muzzles, then through and beyond our guns, passing between 
Hampton's left and Jones' right. Here they were simultane- 
ously attacked from both flanks, and the survivors driven back. 

Meanwhile the situation was becoming serious in 
another direction, and that too while we were ignorant 
of the danger. 

Before sending Hampton into action Stuart had or- 
dered that one of his regiments be detached to guard 
our rear at Brandy Station. Hampton had assigned 
that duty to the 2d South Carolina Cavalry, com- 
manded by Colonel M. C. Butler. This regiment had 
gone into camp the previous night on the road from 
Brandy Station to Stevensburg, about half way be- 
tween the two places. Robertson had moved his 
brigade at early dawn to the support of his picket at 
Kelly's Ford, and soon reported the advance of the 
Federal column upon Stevensburg. Butler had hardly 
reached Brandy Station with his regiment when he was 
notified by the videttes, which he, with wise precaution, 
had sent toward Kelly's Ford, that the enemy was ad- 
vancing in force on that road. Knowing that there 
was nothing to prevent that column from marching 
to Culpeper Court House, if so disposed, Butler, without 
waiting for orders, started his regiment back, in all 
haste, toward Stevensburg. The 4th Virginia Cavalry, 
Colonel W. C. Wickham, was shortly after sent by Stu- 
art to his assistance. These dispositions seemed to be 
all that the circumstances required. Robertson's bri- 
gade, with the 2d South Carolina and the 4th Virginia, 



HEADQUARTERS ON FLEETWOOD HILL. 269 

constituted a force of at least fifteen hundred men, and 
Stuart was justified in expecting them to protect his 
rear from attack by way of the lower fords. 

Having made these dispositions, Stuart proceeded to 
the front, at Saint James' Church, to urge on the bat- 
tle ; and as the field was geographically so extensive, 
he stationed his adjutant (the author) upon Fleetwood 
Hill, directions having been given to the brigades and 
detached regiments to communicate with that point as 
headquarters. Every scrap of the camp was removed 
toward Culpeper Court House, and there remained 
nothing upon the hill except the adjutant and his cou- 
riers. A six-pounder howitzer, from Chew's battery, 
under charge of Lieutenant John W. Carter, which had 
been retired from the fight near the river because its 
ammunition was exhausted, was halted at the bottom 
of the hill ; a circumstance which proved to be our 
salvation. 

Perhaps two hours had elapsed since Stuart had 
mounted for the front when an individual scout from 
one of Robertson's North Carolina regiments reported 
to me that the enemy was advancing from Kelly's Ford, 
in force and unopposed, upon Brandy Station, and was 
now directly in our rear. Not having personal ac- 
quaintance with the man, and deeming it impossible 
that such a movement could be made without opposi- 
tion from Robertson's brigade, I ordered the scout to 
return and satisfy himself by a closer inspection that 
he had not mistaken some of our troops for the enemy. 
In less than five minutes the man reported that I could 
now see for myself. And so it was ! Within cannon 
shot of the hill a long column of the enemy filled the 
road, which here skirted the woods. They were pressing 
steadily forward upon the railroad station, which must 
in a few moments be in their possession. How could 



270 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

they be prevented from also occupying the Fleetwood 
Hill, the key to the whole position ? Matters looked se- 
rious ! But good results can sometimes be accomplished 
with the smallest means. Lieutenant Carter's howitzer 
was brought up, and boldly pushed beyond the crest of 
the hill ; a few imperfect shells and some round shot 
were found in the limber chest ; a slow fire was at once 
opened upon the marching column, and courier after 
courier was dispatched to General Stuart to inform him 
of the peril. It was all important to gain time, for 
should the enemy once plant his artillery on this hill it 
would cost many valuable lives to recover the ground, 
even if that could at all be accomplished. We must re- 
tain this position or suffer most seriously when enclosed 
between the divisions of Buford and Gregg. But the 
enemy was deceived by appearances. That the head of 
his column should have been greeted with the fire of ar- 
tillery as soon as it emerged from the woods must have 
indicated to General Gregg the presence of a consider- 
able force upon the hill ; and the fact that his advance 
from Kelly's Ford had been entirely unopposed, together 
with his ignorance of what had transpired with Buford, 
must have strengthened the thought that his enemy, in 
force, here awaited an attack. In point of fact there 
was not one man upon the hill beside those belonging 
to Carter's howitzer and myself, for I had sent away 
even my last courier, with an urgent appeal for speedy 
help. Could General Gregg have known the true state 
of affairs he would, of course, have sent forward a 
squadron to take possession ; but appearances demanded 
a more serious attack, and while this was being organ- 
ized three rifled guns were unlimbered, and a fierce 
cannonade was opened on the hill. 

My first courier found General Stuart as incredulous 
concerning the presence of the enemy in his rear as I 



BATTLE AT FLEETWOOD HILL. 271 

had been at the first report of the North Carolina scout. 
Major Hart states that Stuart turned to him and or- 
dered him to " ride back there and see what all that 
foolishness is about." But simultaneous with my sec- 
ond message — which was delivered by young Frank 
Deane, of-Richmond, Va., one of my confidential clerks, 
and, in the field, one of our most trusted couriers — 
came the sound of the cannonading, and there was no 
longer room for doubt. The nearest point from which 
a regiment could be sent was Jones' position, one and a 
half miles distant from Fleetwood. The 12th Virginia,. 
Colonel A. W. Harman, and the 35th battalion, Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel E. V. White, were immediately with- 
drawn from his line and ordered to meet this new 
danger. But minutes expanded seemingly into hours 
to those anxious watchers on the hill, who feared lest, 
after all, help could not arrive in time. But it did 
come. The emergency was so pressing that Colonel 
Harman had no time to form his regiment in squadrons 
or even in platoons. He reached the top of the hill as 
Lieutenant Carter was retiring his gun after having 
fired his very last cartridge. Not fifty yards below, 
Colonel Percy Wyndham was advancing the 1st New 
Jersey Cavalry in magnificent order, in column of squad- 
rons, with flags and guidons flying. A hard gallop had 
enabled only the leading files of the 12th Virginia to 
reach the top of the hill, the rest of the regiment stretch- 
ing out behind in column of fours. It was a trying 
position both to the pride and the courage of this regi- 
ment to be put into action in such manner that a suc- 
cessful charge seemed hopeless ; but with the true spirit 
of a forlorn hope, Colonel Harman and the few men 
about him dashed at the advancing Federals. 1 Stuart 

1 The result of this charge was always a matter of mortification to this 
gallant regiment and its leader. It is but just that I should say, even at 



272 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

reached the hill a few moments later, having ordered 
Hampton and Jones to retire from the position at Saint 
James' Church and concentrate on the Fleetwood Hill. 
It would seem from Hampton's report that, before he 
received this order, he himself perceived the danger in 
our rear and had commenced the necessary withdrawal, 
at the same time notifying Robertson, on the Kelly's 
Ford road, that his rear would now be exposed. 

And now the first contest was for the possession of 
the Fleetwood Hill ; and so stubbornly was this fought 
on either side, and for so long a time, that all of Jones' 
regiments and all of Hampton's participated in the 
charges and counter-charges which swept across its 
face. As I have already stated, the 12th regiment 
reached the top of the hill just in time to meet the 
charge of the 1st New Jersey. The 35th battalion was 
not far behind, but these troops were so disordered by 
their rapid gallop that, after the first shock, they re- 
coiled and retired to reform. White's battalion seems 
to have been cut into two* parts, two of his squadrons 
falling in with Colonel Harman on the eastern slope of 
the hill, while the other two retired along the crest of 
the ridge toward the Barbour House, in which direction 
they were followed by a portion of the 1st New Jersey, 
which now held the hill in temporary possession. 1 Colo- 

this day, that the whole responsibility rested with me, and not with Colonel 
Harman. The colonel was not aware of the extreme urgency of the case, 
and his regiment was advancing only at a trot. Seeing this, I rode down 
the hill to meet him, ordered the gallop, and put him into the fight in the 
disorderly manner narrated. I have, however, always believed that the 
circumstances justified the sacrifice of this regiment ; for, had Colonel 
Wyndham obtained undisputed possession of the summit, with time to make 
. arrangements for holding it, the subsequent fighting would probably have 
had a different result. 

1 The Federal reports fail to make the proper distinction between the 
Fleetwood Hill and that upon which stood the Barbour House. The latter 
is distant from the former as much as half a mile and in a northwest direc- 
tion. As regards Gregg's advance, it stood on his left and on the Confed- 
erate right. 



REPORT OF CAPTAIN MARTIN. 273 

nel Harman soon reformed his regiment, and, aided by 
the two squadrons of the 35th battalion, regained the 
hill for a short time. Colonel Harman was severely 
wounded in a personal encounter with the officer lead- 
ing the Federal cavalry. Lieutenant - Colonel White, 
having reformed the two other squadrons of his battal- 
ion, swept around the west side of the hill and charged 
the three guns which had been advanced to its foot. 
The cavalry which supported these guns was driven 
away. Not so, however, with the gallant gunners of 
the 6th New York battery. They had already distin- 
guished themselves at Chancellorsville on the 2d of 
May, under General Pleasonton, and on this occasion 
they stood by their guns with the most determined 
courage. Lieutenant - Colonel White says in his re- 
port : — 

There was no demand for a surrender nor offer to do so 
until nearly all of the men, with many of their horses, were 
either killed or wounded. 

Captain J. W. Martin, commanding this battery, says 
in his report : — 

Once in the battery, it became a hand to hand fight with 
pistol and sabre between the enemy and my cannoneers and 
drivers, and never did men act with more coolness and bravery, 
and show more of a stern purpose to do their duty unflinch- 
ingly, and, above all, to save their guns ; and while the loss of 
them is a matter of great regret to me, it is a consolation and 
a great satisfaction to know that I can point with pride to the 
fact that, of that little band who defended the battery, not one 
of them flinched for a moment from his duty. Of the thirt}-- 
six men that I took into the engagement, but six came out 
safely ; and of these thirty, twenty-one are either killed, 
wounded, or missing, 1 and scarcely one of them is there but 

1 Captain Martin doubtless means that twenty-one men out of thirty were 
killed or wounded, and only nine missing or captured ; but I have not ven- 
tured to change the wording of his report without his consent, which I have 
not been able to obtain. 
18 



274 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

will carry the honorable mark of the sabre or bullet to his 
grave. 

Colonel White could not long retain possession of his 
trophies. He was soon surrounded by superior num- 
bers, and was compelled to cut his way out with severe 
loss. 

While these events were transpiring General Jones 
was withdrawing from Saint James' Church, with the 
11th regiment, which was the only one of his brigade 
remaining on that line, 1 and Hampton was moving his 
brigade back toward Fleetwood. Hampton had formed 
his four regiments in column of squadrons, and, with 
everything well in hand for action, was moving forward 
briskly to the attack. He had already, in response to 
an order from Stuart, sent in advance of his brigade the 
6th Virginia Cavalry, one of Jones' regiments, which 
had been acting with his line at Saint James' Church. 
Stuart had met this regiment and directed it to make a 
charge on the enemy's right, toward the east and south 
of the Fleetwood Hill. The result of Major Flournoy's 
charge may as well be given in this connection. He 
states in his report : — 

I was then ordered by him (Hampton) to move quickly in 
the direction of Brandy Station, and while on the way I re- 
ceived orders from General Stuart to cut off three hundred 
Yankees who were near the Miller House. I moved across the 
railroad, and instead of three hundred, I met what pi'isoners 
reported as five regiments. I charged with my regiment, now 
reduced by casualties and the detachment of four of my com- 
panies, to two hundred and eight men. We drove back the 
whole force and had them in retreat, when we were attacked 
in rear and forced to fall back towards the Miller House, where 
the enemy opened on us with artillery. We charged and took 
the battery, but were unable to hold it. Having been charged 

1 The 6th regiment was with Hampton ; the 7th, with W. H. F. Lee ; 
and the 12th regiment and the 35th battalion were already at Fleetwood. 



REPORT OF LIEUTENANT WILSON. 275 

by five times our number, we fell back in confusion towards 
the hill in front of the Miller House, where the men rallied and 
reformed. 

It is probably to this charge of the 6th Virginia Cav- 
alry that Lieutenant J. Wade Wilson, commanding the 
left section of the 6th New York battery, refers in the 
following spirited extract from his report : — 

Again, pursuant to orders from Colonel Kilpatrick, I lim- 
bered to the front and sought a position on the crest of the 
hill behind which the enemy was rapidly massing to force back 
the advance of Colonel Kilpatrick upon the house. Before 
reaching the crest, however, a halt was ordered by Colonel 
Kilpatrick, and, soon after, a retreat from that position, which 
was executed without panic and in admirable order. The en- 
emy, perceiving the retreat, charged furiously up the hill and 
through the section fifty yards in rear of the pieces, charging 
desperately on the cavalry, some hundreds of yards in the ad- 
vance of the pieces in retreat. The capture of the section 
seems to have been thought accomplished by the enemy, and 
the rebel line wheeled into column and pushed rapidly by the 
flanks, with the intent to turn the right of the 1st brigade, 
leaving, as they supposed, a sufficient force to secure the guns. 
At this time was displayed the heroism of the section, and 
valor of which any command and country may be justly proud. 
In reversing, one of the gun-limbers was nearly capsized, one 
wheel being in the air and the axle nearly vertical. Perceiv- 
ing this, I ordered the cannoneers to dismount and restore to 
its position the limber. We were surrounded by a squad of 
rebel cavalry, firing with carbine and pistol. The order was 
scarcely needed, for the cannoneers had seen the peril of their 
gun, and, anticipating the order, had dismounted to restore it ; 
and with revolvers in hand, they defended the gun as if deter- 
mined to share its destiny and make its fate their own. The 
bearer of a rebel battle-flag was shot by Private Currant, who 
would have recovered it but for the great difficulty of ap- 
proaching the color with a lame and skittish horse upon which 
he was at the time mounted. The flag was taken by the 1st 
Maine Cavalry. 



276 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

Following the sequence of events as nearly as may 
be possible, we must for a moment recall the position 
of the three guns of the 6th New York Battery under 
Captain Martin's command, which, following up the 
early successes of Wyndham's brigade, had been ad- 
vanced to the foot of the Fleetwood Hill. Colonel 
H. S. Thomas, of the 1st Pennsylvania Cavalry, who 
was on staff duty during this day, tells us, in the Phil- 
adelphia "Weekly Times" of November 10, 1877, that 

One gun did reach the crest of the hill mentioned, and fired 
two rounds of canister, but was dragged back to the foot, 
where some unknown officer had ordered the others to unlim- 
ber. Seeing the mistake that had been made, I hurried back 
from the charge in which I had taken part with the Jersey 
cavalry, but before the guns could be reached the drivers of 
the limber chests had taken flight with those who came back 
from the first charge, and were lost in the clouds of dust. 

It was doubtless at the foot of the hill that these 
guns were reached in the charge made by Colonel E. 
V. White ; and it was here that they were finally 
abandoned and fell into the hands of the men of Hart's 
battery, as the result of the charges made by Hamp- 
ton's brigade, followed up as they were by a charge of 
the 11th Virginia Cavalry, under Colonel L. L. Lomax. 

Let us now return to Hampton, remembering that 
most of the events already narrated had transpired be- 
fore he came into the action at Fleetwood Hill. The 
magnificent order in which he advanced to the attack 
was the sure harbinger of success. I transcribe the 
following from Major J. F. Hart's narrative, premising 
only that the charge which he so graphically describes 
was made, as is clear from Hampton's report, by the 
1st North Carolina Cavalry, Colonel L. S. Baker, sup- 
ported by the Jeff Davis Legion, Lieutenant - Colonel 
J. F. Waring : — 



MAJOR HART'S NARRATIVE. 277 

. . . The battery I commanded moved abreast of Hamp- 
ton's column in its gallop toward this new foe ; and as we 
came near Fleetwood Hill, its summit, as also the whole pla- 
teau east of the hill and beyond the railroad, was covered with 
Federal cavalry. Hampton, diverging toward his left, passed 
the eastern terminus of the ridge, and, crossing the railroad, 
struck the enemy in column just beyond it. This charge was 
as gallantly made and gallantly met as any the writer ever 
witnessed during nearly four years of active service on the out- 
posts. Taking into estimation the number of men that crossed 
sabres in this single charge (being nearly a brigade on each 
side), it was by far the most important hand-to-hand contest 
between the cavalry of the two armies. As the blue and gray 
riders mixed in the smoke and dust of that eventful charge, 
minutes seemed to elapse before its effect was determined. At 
last the intermixed and disorganized mass began to recede, 
and we saw that the field was won to the Confederates. 

We notice one omission in the narrative of Major 
Hart which must by all means be supplied. He makes 
no mention of the charge made by the Cobb Georgia 
Legion, Colonel P. M. B. Young, supported by the 1st 
South Carolina Cavalry, Colonel J. L. Black, which was 
made, as Hampton's report shows, at the same time, or 
a little in advance, of the charge of the 1st North Car- 
olina and the Jeff Davis Legion. Colonel Young led 
this charge straight up the Fleetwood Hill from the 
northeast. His regiment used the sabre alone, and his 
movement was one of the finest which was executed on 
this day so full of brave deeds. Colonel Young says in 
his report : — 

I immediately ordered the charge in close column of squad- 
rons, and I swept the hill clear of the enemy, he being scat- 
tered and entirely routed. I do claim that this was the turn- 
ing-point of the day in this portion of the field, for in less than 
a minute's time the battery would have been upon the hill. . . . 

Scarcely had Colonel Young's command disappeared 
below the crest of the hill when Captain Hart galloped 



278 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

his battery to the summit. He was joined by a section 
of McGregor's battery, and also, as Major Beckham 
states in his report, by a part of Chew's battery. And 
now occurred one of the strangest events of the day. 
A portion of the 1st New Jersey Cavalry still occupied 
the extension of the ridge toward the Barbour House. 
Pressed by Jones' regiments and isolated by the result 
of Young's charge, it became necessary for this body 
to cut their way through to their friends. I borrow 
again from Major Hart's narrative : — 

Scarcely had our artillery opened on the retreating enemy 
from this new position than a part of the 1st New Jersey Cav- 
ahy, which formed the extreme Federal left, came thundering 
down the narrow ridge, striking McGregor's and Hart's un- 
supjDorted batteries in the flank, and riding through between 
guns and caissons from right to left, but met by a determined 
hand to hand contest from the cannoneers with pistols, sponge- 
staffs, and whatever else came handy to fight with. Lieuten- 
ant-Colonel Broderick, commanding the regiment, was killed 
in this charge, as also the second in command, Major J. H. 
Shelmire, who fell from a pistol ball, while gallantly attempt- 
ing to cut his way through these batteries. The charge was 
repulsed by the artillerists alone, not a solitary friendly trooper 
being within reach of us. 

In reference to this same charge, Major Beckham 
says in his report : — 

The charge was met by the cannoneers of the pieces. Lieu- 
tenant Ford killed one with his pistol. Lieutenant Hoxton 
killed one ; and Private Sully, of McGregor's battery, knocked 
one off his horse with a sponge-staff. 

The Fleetwood Hill now seemed to be securely in 
our possession, and Major Beckham speedily crowned 
it with all his available artillery. Hampton was press- 
ing his advantage on the plain toward the railroad; 
but the enemy still held possession of Brandy Station, 
and a few gallant men remained in the vicinity of Cap- 



A VALIANTLY CONTESTED FIELD. 279 

tain Martin's now silent guns, hoping that by some 
means they might be saved. The hope was a vain one. 
Stuart advanced Lomax's strong regiment, the 11th 
Virginia, in the last charge which was made on this part 
of the field. Lomax covered both sides of the road to 
the station, rode over Martin's guns for the last time, 
drove the enemy from the railroad station, and pursued 
for some distance on the Stevensburg road. Hampton 
states that he himself pressed the enemy until his ad- 
vance was checked by the well-directed fire of Beck- 
ham's guns on the Fleetwood Hill. The dust and 
smoke of the conflict was so great that it was impossible 
at a distance, and difficult even near at hand, to distin- 
guish between friends and foes. Colonel H. S. Thomas 
tells us that in the confusion he picked up a Virginia 
trooper, who remarked : " I can't tell you Yanks from 
our folks." 

Thus ended the attack of Gregg's division upon the 
Fleetwood Hill. Modern warfare cannot furnish an in- 
stance of a field more closely, more valiantly contested. 
General Gregg retired from the field defeated, but de- 
fiant and unwilling to acknowledge a defeat. He re- 
formed his division on the same ground on which he 
had formed it to make the attack, and without further 
molestation moved off to effect a junction with Buford's 
division near Saint James' Church. He had been out- 
numbered and overpowered, but when the fighting was 
over he retired from the field at his own gait. 

It has, perhaps, occurred to the reader to ask how it 
was possible for Stuart, in the presence of enterprising 
officers, such as Pleasonton and Buford, to withdraw so 
large a portion of his command from their front and 
concentrate it upon Gregg's column. Lieutenant-Colonel 
F. C. Newhall, assistant adjutant-general on the staff of 
General Pleasonton, has published in the Philadelphia 



280 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

" Weekly Times " of the 10th of November, 1877, an 
excellent article on that part of this battle which oc- 
curred near Beverly's Ford. Colonel Newhall's state- 
ments, when taken in connection with other facts, will 
give the necessary explanation. It will be remembered 
that W. H. F. Lee's brigade had taken position on the 
Cunningham farm, on the extreme Confederate left. 
He had repelled a strong attempt to dislodge him, and 
had formed a junction with Jones' line, making with it, 
as General Jones states, nearly a right angle. The 
7th Virginia Cavalry, which formed the left of Jones' 
line, was somewhat separated from the rest of that 
brigade, but formed such close connection with Lee's 
line as really to constitute part of his battle. In the 
subsequent movements this regiment acted with Lee's 
brigade. This is shown by the reports of both Gen- 
eral Jones and Colonel Thomas Marshall, then lieuten- 
ant-colonel commanding the 7th. W. H. F. Lee had 
therefore a strong force under his command. A glance 
at the map will show how threatening was the posi- 
tion which he occupied. He was within striking dis- 
tance of the road by which Pleasonton had advanced 
from Beverly's Ford. Should he reach that road he 
would be full in the rear of the troops engaged at Saint 
James' Church, where the Confederates, at first acting on 
the defensive, now threatened to become the aggressors. 
General Buford therefore found it necessary, as Colo- 
nel Newhall states, to bring Ames' brigade of infantry 
into the battle near the church, and, replacing with 
it the reserve cavalry brigade, move the latter to meet 
the danger which threatened his right flank and rear. 
Of course, during such an operation, he was willing to 
be let alone] and it was just at this time that Stuart 
found it necessary to withdraw to meet Gregg. Before 
Buford's arrangements for an advance were completed, 



STUARTS NEW LINE. 281 

Gregg's attack upon the Fleetwood Hill had been re- 
pulsed. As soon as General Gregg retired, Stuart 
formed a new line running almost north, on the eastern 
slope of the range of hills which, commencing at Fleet- 
wood, extends in an irregular and somewhat broken 
manner to the river at Welford's Ford. Toward the 
northern end of this range, not upon the summit but in 
depressions between the hills, or upon the hill sides, are 
situated several houses ; most prominent among them 
Welford's house and Green's house. Thompson's house 
stands at the foot of the hills, just where they com- 
mence to rise from the level field of the Cunningham 
and Green farms. When General Jones withdrew the 
11th regiment from Saint James' Church, he thereby 
uncovered a road leading to Green's house, which ex- 
posed W. H. F. Lee's right and rear. It was therefore 
necessary for Lee to withdraw to the west of this road. 
This he soon accomplished, bringing the 7th regiment 
with him. His line now occupied the hills overlooking 
Thompson's house. On his right, the 2d North Car- 
olina Cavahy, dismounted, formed connection with 
General Jones, while the 9th, 10th, and 13th regiments 
extended the line, which, on the extreme left, was 
refused toward the west, facing Welford's house, which 
at this point is concealed from sight by intervening 
hills. Munford, with Fitz Lee's brigade, was momen- 
tarily expected on the field, and the direction of his 
march from Oak Shade would naturally bring him into 
position on the commanding ground about Welford's 
house. 

The withdrawal of W. H. F. Lee's brigade from the 
open plain was, of course, in full view of the enemy, 
but was accomplished without provoking an attack until 
the new line was established, when a feeble charge in 
front was easily repulsed by the dismounted men. 



282 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

This, however, was only the beginning of the real 
struggle. General Buford continued to extend his 
right until he had entirely enveloped the left of Lee's 
line, and was now prepared to make an attack from 
the high ground just south and west of Green's house. 
This, if successful, would have placed Buford in rear 
of the left of Stuart's line. An engagement of dis- 
mounted men — in which portions, at least, of the 2d 
Massachusetts and 3d Wisconsin infantry participated 
— was the prelude to a charge of the 6th Pennsyl- 
vania and the 2d United States Cavalry. This charge 
was met by the 9th Virginia, supported by the 10th 
and the 13th. General R. L. T. Beale, then colonel 
of the 9th Virginia Cavalry, in a description of this 
fight which he has kindly prepared for my use, claims 
that the 9th regiment broke the force which first at- 
tacked it, and drove it back across the stone fence 
in its rear. At this moment the 9th was attacked by 
a fresh regiment which came in on the flank, and was 
in turn driven back to the foot of the hill whence it 
had commenced the charge. Here the 9th was rein- 
forced by the 10th and the 13th, and the tide of battle 
was finally turned against the Federal cavalry, wmich 
was driven back across the crest of the hill whence they 
had advanced. General Beale further states that hav- 
ing reformed his regiment after this action, he rode 
forward to reconnoitre before again advancing, when, 
to his surprise, he found the enemy moving back to- 
ward Beverly's Ford. A comparison of General Beale's 
statement with the narrative of Colonel Newhall indi- 
cates that this was the fight in which Adjutant Ellis, of 
the 6th Pennsylvania, was wounded, and in which Gen- 
eral Wesley Merritt, then captain commanding the 2d 
Regulars, lost his hat in a sabre fight with a rebel offi- 
cer. When the 9th Virginia first charged up the hill, 



DEATH OF COLONEL SOL. WILLIAMS. 283 

General W. H. F. Lee was upon its left flank, encour- 
aging the men of his old regiment. Just before he 
reached the crest of the hill he was severely wounded 
and was carried from the field. Colonel Sol. Williams, 
of the 2d North Carolina Cavalry, had begged per- 
mission, inasmuch as everything was quiet on his line, 
to join in this charge. He went in on the right of 
the 9th, was shot . through the head, and instantly 
killed. The command of the brigade now devolved on 
Colonel J. R. Chambliss, of the 13th Virginia Cavalry, 
who says in his report : — 

About half-past four o'clock P. M. Brigadier-General W. H. F. 
Lee was wounded, and Colonel Sol. Williams, 2d North Car- 
olina Cavalry, was killed, and I assumed command, having pre- 
viously been in charge of three squadrons, dismounted as 
sharpshooters. Only a few shots were fired, and the action 
was virtually over when I assumed command. 

While the attack upon the left of W. H. F. Lee's line 
was in progress, Colonel T. T. Munford arrived from 
Oak Shade with three regiments of Fitz Lee's brigade. 
He had been delayed in his march by a perplexing am- 
biguity in the orders which had been transmitted to 
him. Had he been able to reach the field of battle two 
hours earlier, and had he secured the hills commanding 
Green's house, more important results would perhaps 
have been secured. As it was, he was compelled to 
grope his way, in ignorance of what was transpiring to 
the left of W. H. F. Lee's line. Once in position, he 
performed effective service with three squadrons of 
sharpshooters from the 1st, 2d, and 3d Virginia Cav- 
alry, aided by Breathed's battery. In these three 
squadrons, during the short time they were engaged, 
he lost three men killed and eighteen wounded. 

Colonel Newhall tells us that while Buford's attack 
was in full progress, he was searching for Buford with 



284 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

orders from General Pleasonton to discontinue the 
attack and withdraw his division to the north side of the 
Rappahannock. Gregg had now effected a junction 
with Pleasonton at Saint James' Church. Duffie had 
come in from Stevensburg. The presence of Confed- 
erate infantry, supporting Stuart, had been definitely 
ascertained. Believing that he had accomplished the 
objects of the reconnoissance, Pleasonton determined 
to cross the river without delay. The reports of Stu- 
art and of his subordinate officers show that no serious 
effort was made to impede his withdrawal. 

We must now turn our attention toward Stevens- 
burg, where events of less magnitude, but of equal in- 
terest, were transpiring. 1 

On the morning of the 9th of June the atmosphere 
was in a condition peculiarly favorable for the trans- 
mission of sound, and the firing of the pickets at Bev- 
erly's Ford aroused Stuart's entire command. At early 
dawn General Hampton rode in person to Colonel But- 
ler's camp, and directed him to mount his regiment, 
move to Brandy Station, and there await orders. In 
executing this order Butler left Lieutenant W. W. 
Broughton, officer of the guard, with fourteen men, in 
charge of the camp, directing him to send two videttes 
to Stevensburg. Butler had hardly reached Brandy 
Station when Lieutenant Broughton reported that the 
enemy was advancing on the road near Stevensburg, 
and that the wagons of the regiment were in danger. 
Knowing that there was no force of cavalry between 

1 Senator M. C. Butler, of South Carolina, who on this day commanded 
the 2d South Carolina Cavalry, and General Williams C. Wickham, then 
colonel of the 4th Virginia Cavalry, have given me many of the facts upon 
which the following narrative is based. To the Hon. James W. Moore, 
state senator from Hampton County, South Carolina, then adjutant of the 
2d South Carolina Cavalry, and to the Hon. John T. Rhett, mayor of Co- 
lumbia, South Carolina, then a lieutenant in the same regiment, I am 
indebted for carefully written circumstantial narratives. 



STEVENSBURG. 285 

Stevensburg and Culpeper Court House, where lay 
General Lee with Longstreet's and Ewell's corps, Butler 
did not await orders, but moved at once to meet the 
danger. He sent forward, at a gallop, in advance of 
the regiment, Lieutenant- Colonel Frank Hampton, with 
twenty men, to observe and delay the enemy until the 
regiment could reach the range of hills known as Hans- 
borough's Mount, where Butler wished to contest his 
advance. Colonel Hanrpton pursued the direct road 
to Stevensburg, and meeting Lieutenant Brough- 
ton's party learned that a squadron of the enemy had 
advanced through the town, and had again retired. 
As Hampton's party, now numbering thirty-six men, 
reached Stevensburg, he found this squadron drawn up 
in a position of observation on the east side of the town. 
He immediately ordered a charge, which the enemy did 
not wait to receive, but retired in the direction of their 
main body. Colonel Butler had, in the mean time, led 
his regiment on a by-road to the east of Stevensburg, 
and reached the main road just in rear of this retreating 
squadron, the pursuit of which was continued past Dog- 
gett's house to the wide stretch of open field beyond, 
over which the enemy was seen advancing in force. 
Judging that the attack would be made from the open 
field north of the road, Butler withdrew his regiment 
to the line of wooded hills already described. It was 
necessary for him to occupy a line from Doggett's 
house to Hansborough's, a distance of nearly a mile, 
and to cover this line he had less than two hundred 
men. Leaving the thirty-six men under Colonel Hamp- 
ton to act mounted on the road, Butler deployed the 
remainder of his regiment on foot along the line on 
the north side of the road. Colonel Hampton was 
ordered to charge anything which might assail him. 
It is now necessary to explain the presence of the 



286 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

Federal cavalry at this point. The column under Gen- 
eral Gregg had effected an easy crossing of the river at 
Kelly's Ford between the hours of five and eight o'clock 
A. M., for it was opposed by nothing but Robertson's 
picket, which retired toward his brigade in the direction 
of Brown's house, leaving General Gregg's advance 
entirely unobstructed and unobserved. 1 General Gregg 
left Russell's infantry brigade in the vicinity of Kelly's 
Ford, and pushed forward to Stevensburg the 2d cav- 
alry division, 1,900 men, under Colonel A. N. Duffie, of 
the 1st Rhode Island Cavalry. Following Colonel Duf- 
fle's march as far as Willis Madden's, General Gregg 
turned the 3d cavalry division to the northwest, toward 
Brandy Station, where he made the attack, the result 
of which has already been narrated. Colonel Duffle's 
column continued to move toward Stevensburg. One 
squadron of his command entered the town without 
opposition, but retired on the main body when charged 
by Colonel Hampton. 

The position in which Butler awaited attack was well 
chosen. The woods concealed the smallness of his num- 
bers, and even on the road the sloping ground prevented 
the enemy from discovering any but the leading files 
of Hampton's mounted detachment. The enemy's ad- 
vance was at first cautious, even timid. As Butler 
had anticipated, the first attempt was to break the line 
of his dismounted men, on his left, and two such at- 
tacks were made ; but both were repulsed by the close 
fire of his Enfield rifles. The enemy now turned his 
attention to Hampton's position, and prepared to carry 
it by a direct sabre charge on the road, supported by 
squadrons on either flank. To meet this attack Colonel 
Hampton dismounted nearly one half of his men for 
the protection of his flanks, retaining but twenty to 

1 See Robertson's Reports, Appendix. 



STEVEN SBURG. 287 

meet the enemy's mounted charge. Between Hamp- 
ton's position on the road and the nearest point of 
the line of Butler's dismounted men was a consider- 
able gap. 

At this juncture Colonel Wickham arrived with the 
4th Virginia Cavalry. He had been turned off from 
the direct road to Stevensburg by Captain W. D. Far- 
ley, volunteer aid-de-camp to General Stuart, and had 
been guided along the same obscure road by which 
Butler had advanced. He now found himself on the 
right of Butler's dismounted men, the head of his col- 
umn resting on the main road east of Stevensburg, just 
in rear of the position held by Hampton's mounted de- 
tachment. The change in the direction of his march 
was most unfortunate, and was the real cause of the 
stampede which ensued. Had Wickham moved through 
Stevensburg, as he would have done had he not met 
Captain Farley, his regiment would have been in posi- 
tion to meet the enemy, whose advance might have 
been checked at the strong line occupied by Butler. 
The circumstances in which Wickham was placed were 
peculiar. His own regiment was in a position where it 
was impossible for it to act, enclosed as it was in a thick 
pine copse, on a narrow by-road, where even a column 
of fours could scarcely move. It was therefore neces- 
sary to turn the head of his column westward, toward 
Stevensburg, and after thus gaining the main road, to 
wheel about by fours, placing his left in front. Igno- 
rant of the dispositions made by Butler, and of the 
events which had already occurred, Wickham naturally 
hesitated to give orders either to Butler or Hampton 
until he could survey the ground and bring his own 
regiment into action. 

Major T. J. Lipscomb, commanding the 2d South 
Carolina Cavalry after Colonel Butler was disabled and 



288 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

Colonel Hampton was killed, in an appendix to his 
report dictated by Colonel Butler, states that the com- 
mand was turned over to Colonel Wickham by Colonel 
Butler, and that it was suggested that Colonel Hamp- 
ton's position be strengthened by sharpshooters on the 
right, and by a mounted force in the road. The com- 
munication between Butler and Wickham was made 
though ' Lieutenant- Colonel W. H. Payne, of the 4th 
Virginia. Adjutant Moore states that in a brief inter- 
view between Colonel Hampton and Colonel Wickham, 
Hampton requested that both his right and left be 
strengthened by squadrons of sharpshooters, and that 
Wickham promptly acquiesced, and moved back toward 
his regiment to give the necessary orders. Captain 
John D. Hobson, of company F, 4th Virginia Cavalry, 
has recently assured me that the squadron, composed 
of his own company and Captain Strother's, was put 
in on Hampton's left, and that being soon separated 
from the rest of the regiment these companies acted 
with the 2d South Carolina during a considerable part 
of the rest of the day. This agrees with Major Lips- 
comb's report, and also with Colonel Wickham's. While 
these arrangements were being made the enemy was 
advancing a column on the road, supported by strong 
squadrons on either side, moving slowly, however, as 
they came under the fire of the few men dismounted 
on the road. The force of the enemy was so large 
that, in the opinion of both Adjutant Moore and Lieu- 
tenant Rhett, a charge by Hampton's twenty men, un- 
supported, would only have resulted in their destruc- 
tion. Lieutenant Broughton informed Adjutant Moore 
that he delivered a message from Colonel Hampton to 
Colonel Wickham to the effect that he (Hampton) 
would close back upon the 4th regiment so as to make 
a charge in solid column. At this moment the rear of 



DEATH OF COLONEL HAMPTON. 289 

the 4th regiment was emerging upon the road from the 
woods, and the order " By fours, right about wheel," 
was heard. Whether this command was given by 
Colonel Hampton to execute the movement contem- 
plated in the message delivered by Lieutenant Brough- 
ton, or whether it was given by some officer of the 4 th 
regiment so as to bring the faces of his men toward the 
enemy, is entirely uncertain. The result was most 
unfortunate. Captain Chestnut and Lieutenant Rhett, 
at the head of Hampton's men, remained facing the 
enemy, to conceal, if possible, a movement which they 
felt must bring an attack upon them at once. But the 
enemy saw the wheel, and instantly ordered the charge. 
Colonel Hampton again ordered the right about wheel, 
and placed himself at the head of his men; but it was 
of no avail. In a moment they were swept to the side 
of the road, and the full force of the charge fell upon 
the 4th Virginia. Colonel Hampton, while engaging 
one of the enemy with his sabre, was shot through the 
body by another, and was mortally wounded. He suc- 
ceeded in reaching the house of John S. Barbour, west 
of Stevensburg, where he died that night. 

It cannot be a matter of surprise that the 4th regi- 
ment under such circumstances broke and ran. Had 
the regiment rallied quickly no blame would have at- 
tached to it. There was not a finer body of men in 
the service. They had frequently proved their valor 
on other battle-fields, and on many subsequent occa- 
sions they confirmed their good reputation. But on this 
day a panic possessed them. They did not respond to 
the efforts of their officers, and the enemy's pursuit was 
continued through the town of Stevensburg and beyond 
as far as Barbour's house, where Colonel Wickham and 
a few of his men threw themselves into a field on the 
road-side, and by the fire of their pistols checked further 
pursuit. 

19 



290 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

Very few of Hampton's men continued on the road 
with the 4th regiment. Most of them gave way to the 
left toward the line of the dismounted men of their 
own regiment. Simultaneous with the charge on the 
road, a squadron of the enemy had attacked the left 
of Butler's line, which was held by Lieutenant Mar- 
kert; but this attack was readily repulsed, and Mar- 
kert's line, still intact, offered a good rallying point for 
Hampton's men. Adjutant Moore says : — 

I was told that some of the men, among whom was Lieu- 
tenant W. H. Waring, as soon as they got out of the road, 
stopped and began firing into the enemy, nor did they leave 
their position by the road until the head of the charging col- 
umn had gone so far beyond them as to render them liable to 
be cut off and captured ; that Lynch, of company H, knocked 
two dragoons off their horses with the butt of his rifle before 
he was surrounded and captured : and I remember that when 
I was engaged in rallying these men, Babb, of company E, 
brought me a prisoner whom he had captured after a hand to 
hand fight ; and that I saw Pender, of company H, — who 
was badly mounted before the charge, — just afterwards on a 
fine horse, having killed the Federal dragoon who rode him. 

Major Lipscomb's report narrates the events which 
now followed. He says : — 

The enemy having gained possession of the road, and passed 
through Stevensburg on the road to Culpeper, the right of our 
line fell back obliquely to the road leading from Stevensburg 
to Brandy Station. They were rallied and formed by Colonel 
Butler between Stevensburg and Norman's Mill ; but the col- 
umns of the enemy pouring out of the woods on his left, and 
threatening to gain his rear, compelled him to fall back be- 
yond Norman's Mill and take a new position on the hill near 
Beckham's house. Colonel Butler ordered me to hold my 
position, and if they pressed on the right to move in that 
direction. The firing on the right gradually got to my rear, 
and I was in the act of moving when Captain Farley, of Gen- 
eral Stuart's staff, brought to me a squadron of the 4th Vir- 



KNIGHTLY COURTESY AND HEROISM. 291 

ginia Cavalry, with orders to hold my position. I immedi- 
ately put all the riflemen in position. About half an hour 
afterwards I received orders from Colonel Butler to retire with 
rapidity across Mountain Run. My line was extended, and 
by the time the riflemen were mounted the right and left of 
our line had both fallen back across Mountain Run. Having 
sixteen dismounted men with me, I was obliged to retire 
slowly to protect them. When I reached the open field I 
found a column of the enemy on either flank, from three to 
four hundred yards distant, and also moving towards Moun- 
tain Run. Our artillery fired two shots, which fell near me, 
and which, I think, caused the enemy to take me for one of 
their own columns, as they did not fire on me until after I 
had crossed the Run. 

Butler had now secured a good position covering the 
road to Brandy Station, and where he might expect 
soon to be reinforced by the 4th Virginia Cavalry. 
Moreover, he threatened the enemy's flank should he 
advance towards Culpeper Court House. The one gun 
which had followed Colonel Wickham from Brandy 
Station was now available, and Butler proposed to 
make a stand. But while in the road, side by side 
with Captain Farley, their horses' heads in opposite 
directions, a shell from the enemy struck the ground 
near by, ricochetted, cut off Butler's right leg above the 
ankle, passed through his horse, through Farley's horse, 
and carried away Farley's leg at the knee. 

The Hon. John T. Rhett addresses his narrative, 
from which I have already largely drawn, to the Hon. 
M. C. Butler; and thus describes a scene which for 
knightly courtesy and heroism cannot be surpassed. 

After we crossed the stream the enemy placed a gun in posi- 
tion in full view of us all. While they were so doing you 
ordered us to retire. As we were moving off I was turned in 
my saddle looking backwards. I saw the artilleryman fire the 
gun, heard an exclamation, and saw that the shot had taken 
effect in the small group with you. Captain Chestnut and 



292 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

myself with a few men hastened to the spot. We first went 
to you, sending some men to aid Captain Farley. When we 
had placed you in a blanket you said to us, — 

" I wish that you two gentlemen, as you have placed me 
in the hands of my own men, would go and take charge of 
Farley." 

We went to Captain Farley, told him that you had sent us, 
took him out of a blanket, and placed him in an old flat trough. 
He was very cool, in fact pleasant and smiling, though evi- 
dently in great pain. Just as we were about to send him 
away, he called me to him, and pointing to the leg that had 
been cut off by the ball, and which was lying near by, he 
asked me to bring it to him. I did so. He took it, pressed it 
to his bosom as one would a child, and said, smiling, — 

" It is an old friend, gentlemen, and I do not wish to part 
from it." 

Chestnut and myself shook hands with him, bidding him 
good-by, and expressing the hope that we should soon again 
see him. He said, — 

" Good-by, gentlemen, and forever. I know my condition, 
and we will not meet again. I thank you for your kindness. 
It is a pleasure to me that I have fallen into the hands of good 
Carolinians at my last moment." 

Courteously, even smilingly, he nodded his head to us as the 
men bore him away. He died within a few hours. I have 
never seen a man whose demeanor, in the face of certain, pain- 
ful, and quick death, was so superb. I have never encoun- 
tered anything so brave from first to last. 

Duffie's division, now far separated from the rest of 
the Federal cavalry, and recalled by repeated orders 
from General Gregg, did not press the advantage 
gained, but retired from Stevensburg in the direction 
of the railroad, where it effected a junction with 
Gregg's division, and recrossed the Rappahannock at 
the railroad bridge. 

The severity of the fighting during this day is shown 
by the losses sustained in both commands. The total 
Confederate loss was 523 officers and enlisted men. As 



RELATIVE FORCES ENGAGED. 293 

trophies of the fight there remained in Stuart's hands 
three pieces of artillery, six regimental and company 
flags, and 486 prisoners. The total Federal loss was 936 
officers and enlisted men. Colonel J. Kilpatrick and 
Colonel P. Wyndham, commanding the two brigades of 
Gregg's division, each claim the capture of a Confeder- 
ate battle -flag and of General Stuart's adjutant -gen- 
eral. Stuart did lose his aid, Lieutenant Goldsborouo-h, 
who was captured while attempting to return to Brandy 
Station from Stevensburg ; but the report of the cap- 
ture of the adjutant is a mistake. 

The forces engaged were, on the Federal side, three 
divisions of cavalry, consisting of twenty-four regiments, 
and two brigades of infantry, consisting of ten regi- 
ments ; numbering in all, according to General Pleason- 
ton, 10,981 effective men. All of these troops, except 
Russell's brigade of infantry, were more or less engaged 
in the battle. On the Confederate side there were five 
brigades of cavalry, containing twenty-one regiments, 
one of which was absent on picket duty, and not within 
reach of the battle-field. On the monthly return for 
May 31, 1863, these five brigades and the horse artil- 
lery reported an effective total of 9,536. The fighting 
on this day was done almost exclusively by fifteen reg- 
iments, — five of Hampton's, five of Jones', four of W. 
H. F. Lee's, and one of Fitz Lee's. Three squadrons of 
sharpshooters from Fitz Lee's brigade were engaged, 
late in the afternoon, on the Confederate left. Robert- 
son's brigade was not engaged at any time during the 
day. General Robertson moved promptly to the sup- 
port of his picket at Kelly's Ford, and discovered the 
movement of Gregg's division toward Stevensburg. 
He reported the facts to General Stuart, who was 
probably four miles distant, and asked for instruc- 
tions. Meanwhile Gregg pursued his way unmolested. 



294 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

General Robertson's movements are fully described in 
his report, which may be found in the Appendix. 

The number of guns employed on either side was 
probably nearly equal, although the advantage of posi- 
tion was generally with the Confederates. 

The results claimed by Federal writers as following 
from this battle seem extravagant. The information 
which General Pleasonton obtained was positive, as far 
as it extended, but after all was meagre. He devel- 
oped the presence of the Confederate cavalry, and of a 
portion of the Confederate infantry at Brandy Station. 
Beyond this he learned nothing. Certainly General 
Hooker does not credit him with having penetrated 
General Lee's designs ; for on the 12th of June he 
uses the following language in orders addressed to the 
commanding officer of the 1st corps : " In view of the 
position of affairs on the right, the absence of any spe- 
cific information as to the objects, movements, and pur- 
poses of the enemy," 1 etc., etc. Subsequent correspon- 
dence contained in General Hooker's testimony before 
the Committee on the Conduct of the War shows that 
uncertainty concerning General Lee's intentions ex- 
isted both at Washington and at General Hooker's 
headquarters, as late as the 21st of June. 2 One result 
of incalculable importance certainly did follow this bat- 
tle, — it made the Federal cavalry. Up to that time 
confessedly inferior to the Southern horsemen, they 
gained on this day that confidence in themselves and 
in their commanders which enabled them to contest so 
fiercely the subsequent battle-fields of June, July, and 
October. ' 

There are two points in connection with this battle 
which, although proven incorrect, have been persist- 
ently repeated. It is asserted that General Stuart's 

1 Conduct of the War, vol. i. p. 158 et seq. 2 Ibid. 



UNFOUNDED ASSERTIONS. 295 

headquarters, his baggage, and his papers were cap- 
tured ; and that Confederate infantry was seen debark- 
ing from the cars in the vicinity of Brandy Station 
while the fight with Gregg's division was in progress. 

As regards the asserted capture of Stuart's baggage 
and papers, it is to be noticed that no official report on 
the Federal side makes any such claim ; and it cannot 
be supposed that so important a fact would have passed 
without mention had it actually occurred. On the 
other hand, certain expressions in General B. H. Rob- 
ertson's report caused General Stuart to explain, in his 
indorsement, that the Fleetwood Hill, where his head- 
quarters had been located, was temporarily in the ene- 
my's hands, but that his baggage had been sent off 
early to the rear. If necessary the testimony of every 
surviving officer of Stuart's staff can be produced, show- 
ing that long hours before Gregg's attack on the Fleet- 
wood Hill, all of the headquarters' wagons had been 
sent to Culpeper Court House. 

The assertion that Confederate infantry was seen de- 
barking from the cars in the vicinity of Brandy Station 
has no better foundation. General Ewell's report, and 
the reports of General Rodes and his subordinate com- 
manders, show that Ewell's corps marched to Stuart's 
assistance from a point on the Rixeyville road four 
miles north of Culpeper Court House, by way of Botts' 
farm, to Brandy Station ; and that Rodes' division, 
which was in advance, did not reach Barbour's house 
until Pleasonton and Buford were in the act of re- 
tiring. 



CHAPTER XVI. 

ALDIE ; MIDDLEBURG J UPPEEVILLE. 

After the battle of the 9th of June, Longstreet re- 
mained at Culpeper Court House while Ewell pushed 
forward into the Valley and conducted those move- 
ments which resulted in the capture of Milroy's com- 
mand at Winchester. On the 15th of June Longstreet 
moved from Culpeper to occupy Ashby's and Snicker's 
gaps, in the Blue Ridge, and Stuart placed three of his 
brigades, Fitz Lee's, W. H. F. Lee's, and Robertson's, in 
advance, and on the right of his column. Jones' bri- 
gade and Hampton's were left to guard the line of the 
Rappahannock until A. P. Hill's corps had passed north- 
ward. The movements of the cavalry did not bring 
Stuart in collision with the enemy until the evening of 
the 17th, when a severe engagement took place at 
Aldie. Fitz Lee's brigade, under Colonel Thomas T. 
Munford, had been sent forward to occupy the gap in 
the Bull Run Mountain at Aldie ; while Colonel J. R. 
Chambliss, with W. H. F. Lee's brigade, reconnoitred 
toward Thoroughfare Gap. Robertson was held near 
Rectortown, so as to move to the assistance of either 
as occasion might demand. 

Early on the morning of the 17th, Colonel Munford, 
with the 2d and 3d Virginia Cavalry, moved from Up- 
perville through Middleburg, and having established 
his picket posts east of Aldie, crossed over to the Snick- 
er's Gap road, and proceeded with these two regiments 



BATTLE AT ALDIE. 297 

to procure corn at the house of Mr. Franklin Carter, 
about a mile distant. He expected to encamp that 
night in the vicinity of Aldie. Colonel Williams C. 
Wickham, with the 1st, 4th, and 5th Virginia Cavalry, 
the remaining regiments of the brigade, had moved 
from Piedmont through Middleburg and was about to 
place his men in camp at Dover Mills, near Aldie. The 
5th regiment, Colonel Thomas L. Rosser, which arrived 
some little time after the 1st and 4th, was directed by 
Colonel Wickham to pass beyond Dover Mills, and se- 
lect a camp nearer Aldie. In so doing Colonel Rosser 
encountered the enemy, who was rapidly driving back 
the pickets established by Colonel Munford. 

The force of the enemy making this attack was the 
2d cavalry division, commanded by General D. M. 
Gregg, and accompanied by Major-General Pleasonton. 
General Kilpatrick's brigade, consisting of the 2d New 
York, 1st Massachusetts, 6th Ohio, and 4th New York 
regiments, supported by the 1st Maine Cavalry, from 
Colonel J. I. Gregg's brigade, and by Ranclol's battery, 
appears to have done all the fighting. The two other 
brigades of General Gregg's division were closed up 
within supporting distance. 

The arrival of Rosser's regiment was most oppor- 
tune. By an immediate sabre charge he drove back 
the enemy's advance upon their main body in the 
town of Aldie. Having relieved the pressure on the 
pickets, Rosser stationed his sharpshooters, under Cap- 
tain R. B. Boston, on the right of the Snickersville 
road, where a number of haystacks afforded some pro- 
tection, and held the remainder of his small regiment 
ready for their support. Colonel Munford in the mean 
time arrived in person, and stationed Lieutenant Wil- 
liam Walton, of the 2d Virginia Cavalry, with the 
reserve picket, fifteen men, behind a stone wall on the 



298 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

left of the Snickersville road, with orders to hold his 
position against any odds until the 2d and 3d regi- 
ments could come to his assistance. In the mean time, 
and while Colonel Wickham was stationing the 1st and 
4th regiments and Breathed's battery to dispute any 
advance on the Middleburg road, Rosser, single-handed, 
had met and repulsed two charges which were made 
upon Captain Boston's squadron ; and believing that 
he could be maintained there with advantage, had or- 
dered Boston to hold his position at all hazards. The 
result proved that this disposition was unfortunate ; for 
during the subsequent heavy fighting Boston was so 
far advanced as to be beyond the reach of support, and 
he and his squadron were captured. 

During all this time there was no force on the left 
of the Snickersville road except the picket posted by 
Munford behind the stone wall. Munford therefore 
moved Rosser's regiment and the 4th Virginia Cavalry, 
with one gun from Breathed's battery, so as to com- 
mand this road, leaving Colonel Wickham with the 
rest of the guns and the 1st Virginia Cavalry on the 
Middleburg road. In the mean time the enemy pressed 
heavily on Lieutenant Walton. He had repulsed two 
mounted charges, but being outflanked by dismounted 
men, had been withdrawn about fifty yards behind a 
house and orchard, in which position he commanded 
the only opening through which the enemy could at- 
tack. Here three distinct charges were met and re- 
pulsed in counter-charges by the 5th Virginia Cavalry, 
by the 3d squadron of the 4th regiment, led by Lieu- 
tenant A. D. Payne, and by the 2d and 5th squadrons 
of the same regiment, led by Captain W. B. Newton. 
These were the only squadrons of this regiment present 
at this battle, the 1st and 4th squadrons having been 
detailed early in the day to accompany General Stu- 



MUNFORD'S POSITION. 299 

art. In each of these charges the enemy had suffered 
severely at the hands of Lieutenant Walton's sharp- 
shooters, who poured volleys into their flank as they 
passed him in advancing and in retiring. As Walton's 
party was, however, evidently small, the enemy deter- 
mined to dislodge him, and was preparing a consider- 
able force for another attack, when the 2d and 3d Vir- 
ginia Cavalry reached the field. Two squadrons of 
sharpshooters were at once dismounted and placed on 
the left of the road : the squadron from the 2d regi- 
ment under Captains Breckinridge and Graves, that 
from the 3d regiment under Captain George D. White. 
Their line was advanced to the stone wall from which 
Lieutenant Walton had been withdrawn. Colonel Mun- 
ford now felt that his position was secure against an 
attack of cavalry, and there was nothing he more de- 
sired than that the enemy should wear himself out 
against it. His flanks were secured by the Little River 
and its tributaries. The enemy must necessarily at- 
tack his front. The road by which it was approached 
was worn, as it ascended the hill, into deep gullies, 
which compelled an attack in column of fours and pre- 
vented the enemy from spreading out his front. Mun- 
ford's strong party of sharpshooters commanded the 
road. They were stationed in an enclosed field, with a 
stone wall in their front, a post and rail fence on their 
right, and another fence on their left. The fences to 
the rear were thrown down so as to give the cavalry 
access to the field. Munford felt that unless his cav- 
alry failed in their duty his dismounted men were per- 
fectly secure. 

The 2d Virginia Cavalry, led by Lieutenant-Colonel 
J. W. Watts, now charged the advancing enemy, who 
had penetrated beyond the position of the sharpshoot- 
ers. The heads of the columns met in the narrow road 



300 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

in a hand to hand sabre fight. While this was in 
progress, Captain Jesse Irving threw down the fence 
on the right of the road, and bringing his squadron to 
the front, opened fire on the enemy's left flank. Cap- 
tain W. W. Tebbs executed a similar movement on the 
left of the road, while the sharpshooters were all the 
time firing into the enemy's rear. Their attack was 
completely broken, and their leading squadron almost 
destroyed. Another support moved up during the con- 
fusion, but was met and repulsed by Colonel Rosser. 
In this fight Lieutenant -Colonel Watts was wounded 
and permanently disabled. The command of the 2d 
regiment devolved on Major Cary Breckinridge, who 
moved the regiment off to the right to reform, carrying 
with him Colonel Louis P. De Cesnola and the colors 
of his regiment, the 4th New York Cavalry. 

During all this time Captain Boston, of the 5th Vir- 
ginia Cavalry, had been holding the haystacks, far in 
advance of his friends, where Colonel Rosser had placed 
him with such stringent orders. He was beyond the 
reach even of a recall, but had been doing his utmost 
to aid in the fight. He was now charged by the 6th 
Ohio Cavalry, under Lieutenant-Colonel William Sted- 
man ; and after losing three of his officers, including 
his junior captain, and a third of his men killed and 
wounded, he surrendered to the odds brought against 
him. 

The Federal cavalry were determined to carry the 
position if it were possible, and another charge was 
speedily organized. This was met by the 3d Virginia 
Cavalry, led by Colonel T. H. Owen, who took the 
road, supported on his right by the 2d regiment and 
on his left by the 5th. The sabre was the weapon 
used, and the enemy was again driven back. Colonel 
Munford pronounces this to be the most spirited charge 



REPORTS OF THE BATTLE. 301 

of the day. Colonel Owen, however, pressed his success 
too far. He drove the enemy almost to the village of 
Aldie, where he was charged by a fresh regiment and 
driven back, losing many of the prisoners he had taken 
and some of his own men. Major Henry Carrington, 
of the 3d regiment, was captured at this point. Colo- 
nel Munford says in his report : — 

Captain Newton, having rallied his small command and a 
good many men from other commands, was again ready to 
relieve Colonel Owen as he fell back, and by a timely charge 
repelled another effort to flank him. As the enemy came up 
again the sharpshooters opened upon him with terrible effect 
from the stone wall, which they had regained, and checked 
him completely. I do not hesitate to say that I have never 
seen as many Yankees killed in the same space of ground in 
any fight I have ever seen, or on any battle-field in Virginia 
that I have been over. We held our ground until ordered by 
the major-general commanding to retire, and the Yankees had 
been so severely punished that they did not follow. The 
sharpshooters of the 5th were mostly captured, this regiment 
suffering more than any other. 

Colonel Munford reports that he captured 138 pris- 
oners. His own total loss was 119, of which the 5th 
Virginia Cavalry lost 58, mostly from Captain Boston's 
squadron. 

There is a significant absence of reports of this bat- 
tle on the Federal side. General Kilpatrick made no 
report of it. General D. M. Gregg devotes one para- 
graph to it, in which, in general terms, he claims a 
victory over " the enemy, strongly posted, and in supe- 
rior force to Kilpatrick's brigade." Lieutenant-Colonel 
"William Stedman, commanding the 6th Ohio Cavalry, 
makes a particular report of the capture of Captain 
Boston's squadron, in which charge he lost " three 
men killed and eleven wounded, including Major Stan- 
hope, who has since died of his wounds." Colonel 



302 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

Sted man adds : "The enemy opened on us from the 
hill beyond with grape and canister ; but we held the 
position until dark, when we were ordered to retire." 
Colonel C. S. Douty, of the 1st Maine Cavalry, was 
killed on the field. He was succeeded by Colonel C. 
H. Smith, who, on the 31st of August, reports that " A 
portion of the regiment, led by Colonel Douty, charged, 
turned the enemy, and drove him from the hill and 
his stronghold among the stone walls. The regiment 
gained the position, secured our wounded, collected the 
trophies of the field, and were burying the dead when 
relieved just before dark. The casualties were as fol- 
lows : killed, six ; wounded, nineteen ; missing, five." 
No other statement of the Federal losses is to be found 
in the reports ; but the records of the Adjutant-Gen- 
eral's Office show that the 1st Maine Cavalry and Kil- 
patrick's brigade (exclusive of the 1st Rhode Island 
Cavalry, whose disaster at Middleburg will soon be no- 
ticed), lost 50 killed, 131 wounded, and 124 missing — 
a total of 305. This excessive loss will perhaps ac- 
count for the silence of the Federal officers. It cer- 
tainly testifies to the gallantry of the regiments which 
advanced so often against such a strong position held 
by so determined a foe. 

The disparity of numbers was in favor of the Fed- 
eral cavalry, on whose part five regiments were actively 
engaged. Only four regiments were engaged on the 
Confederate side ; and of these the 3d and 5th regi- 
ments were small. Two squadrons were absent from 
the 4th regiment, and one from the 2d. The 1st Vir- 
ginia Cavalry held the Middleburg road, but took no 
other part in the battle. The fighting was done by 
probably less than a thousand men on the Confederate 
side. Munford retired from the field about dark, by 
the Snickersville road, not because of any pressure that 



DUFFIE AT MIDDLEBURG. 303 

was brought to bear on him by General Gregg, but in 
obedience to the orders of General Stuart, and in con- 
sequence of events which had occurred at Middleburg. 
He brought off from the field all of his dead, and all 
of his wounded who could be moved. He established 
his pickets about a mile from the battle-field, and these 
were not molested until the following morning. 1 

On this same afternoon events of considerable im- 
portance occurred at Middleburg, where ^Stuart had 
established his headquarters for the day. 

Early in the morning Colonel A. N. Duffie, with the 
1st Rhode Island Cavalry, had crossed the Bull Run 
Mountain at Thoroughfare Gap. His orders directed 
him to encamp at Middleburg on the night of the 17th, 
and to proceed the next day toward Noland's Ferry, 
extending his march to the west as far as Snickersville. 
These orders seem to have contemplated a somewhat 
extended scout by this regiment on the left flank of 
General Gregg's division, — a hazardous movement in 
the presence of an enterprising enemy. Colonel Duffie" 
reached Thoroughfare Gap at 9.30 A. M., and was some- 
what delayed in crossing the mountain by the picket 
from Chambliss' command. By eleven o'clock, how- 
ever, he was fairly on his way toward Middleburg. At 
four o'clock p. m. he struck the pickets which Stuart 
had established for his own safety outside the town, 
and drove them in so quickly that Stuart and his staff 
were compelled to make a retreat more rapid than was 

1 Writers on the Federal side who have given narratives of this battle 
seem to have accepted as authority contemporary newspaper accounts, 
samples of which are preserved in Moore's Rebellion Record, volume VII. 
The official reports of Colonels Munford, Owen, Wickham, and Rosser, of 
Major Breckinridge, and of Captain Newton, on the Confederate side, are 
ignored. General A. Doubleday devotes pages 100 to 103 of his volume, 
Chancellorsrille and Gettysburg, to this battle ; and it would be difficult to 
find in any other work claiming historical accuracy, within the same number 
of pages, an equal number of errors. 



304 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

consistent with dignity and comfort. Having with him 
no force adequate to contest the ground with Duffle's 
regiment, Stuart retired toward Rector's Cross Roads. 
Munford was notified of his danger, and directed to 
withdraw from Aldie, and Robertson and Chambliss 
were ordered to move immediately upon Middleburg. 
The only hope for Duffle's regiment now lay in an im- 
mediate advance upon Aldie, where he might have cre- 
ated considerable commotion by attacking the rear of 
the 1st Virginia Cavalry on the Middleburg road. But 
he did not know this, and his orders were positive, re- 
quiring him to encamp for the night at Middleburg. 
He therefore made the best of his situation by dis- 
mounting one half of his regiment behind stone walls 
and barricades, hoping that he might be able to hold 
his position until reinforced from Alclie, whither he sent 
Captain Frank Allen to make known his situation at 
brigade headquarters. Captain Allen reached Aldie, 
after encountering many difficulties, at nine o'clock 
p. m. He says in his report : — 

General Kilpatrick informed me that his brigade was so 
worn out that lie could not send any reinforcements to Middle- 
burg, but that he would report the situation of our regiment to 
General Gregg. Returning, he said that General Gregg had 
gone to state the facts to General Pleasonton, and directed me 
to remain at Aldie until he heard from General Pleasonton. 
I remained, but received no further orders. 

Thus Colonel Duffle was left to meet his fate. At 
seven o'clock in the evening he was attacked by Rob- 
ertson's brigade. His men fought bravely, and re- 
pelled more than one charge before they were driven 
from the town, retiring by the same road upon which 
they had advanced. Unfortunately for Duffle, this road 
was now closed by Chambliss' brigade, which sur- 
rounded him during the night, and captured, early the 



COLONEL DUFFIE' S REPORT. 305 

next morning, the greater part of those who had es- 
caped from Robertson on the previous evening. Colo- 
nel Duffie himself escaped capture, and reached Centre- 
ville early in the afternoon, with four of his officers and 
twenty-seven men. He reports the loss in his regi- 
ment at twenty officers and two hundred and forty- 
eight men. This, however, was an exaggeration of the 
calamity ; for other officers beside himself had taken to 
the woods, and succeeded in making their way back to 
the Federal lines on the 18th and 19th. Major Far- 
rington, who was separated from his regiment on the 
night of the 17th, in Middleburg, thus brought in two 
officers and twenty-three men; Lieutenant-Colonel 
Thompson brought in eighteen men ; Sergeant Palmer, 
twelve men ; and Captain George N. Bliss, six men. 
Color - Sergeant Robbins, who was wounded and cap- 
tured, was left in Middleburg and fell into the hands of 
his friends when Stuart retired from that place. This 
reduces the loss to two hundred. This regiment was 
composed of good materials, and it rapidly recuperated. 
On the 17th of August following it assembled three 
hundred men at Warrenton, and was attached to Mc- 
intosh's brigade of Gregg's division. 1 

It was doubtless Stuart's intention to occupy the gap 
at Aldie on the 17th, and there dispute any advance 
which the Federal cavalry might make. But it may 
be questioned whether he would have attempted to 
make a permanent stand on the line of the Bull Run 
Mountain, — a line which would have necessitated the 

1 For these facts I am indebted to Captain George N. Bliss, of Provi- 
dence, R. I. There can be no doubt of their accuracy. I estimate the 
strength of the 1st Rhode Island Cavalry, from Colonel Duffie''s report, at 
300 officers and men. Colonel Duffie states his aggregate loss at 268. Four 
officers and twenty-seven men escaped with the colonel. This makes the 
strength of the regiment 300. 
20 



306 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

separation of the three brigades then available, to 
guard as many gaps, upon any one of which the enemy 
might concentrate and force a passage, — a line which 
could, moreover, readily be turned by a movement to- 
ward the north. The force at his command was inade- 
quate to hold this line, and the advance of Gregg's di- 
vision to Alclie, on the 17th, forced Stuart to adopt 
perhaps the wiser plan of holding his command west 
of the Bull Run Mountain, ready to oppose the enemy 
wherever he might appear. 

On the night of the 17th Robertson's brigade en- 
camped about Middleburg, where Chambliss, with W. 
H. F. Lee's brigade, joined it on the following morning. 
Munford was drawn back on the road to Union to a 
point about four miles distant. Stuart's pickets east of 
Middleburg were attacked and driven through the 
town on the 18th ; but the enemy did not pursue be- 
yond, and the pickets were reestablished at night. On 
this day, Major John S. Mosby captured one of General 
Hooker's staff who was bearing despatches to General 
Pleasonton at Alclie. These despatches informed Stuart 
that he was confronted not only by the large cavalry 
force commanded by General Pleasonton, but also by 
General Barnes' division of infantry, three brigades 
strong. To oppose this force, Stuart had only two 
brigades, or less than eight regiments, on the road from 
Middleburg to Upperville, and one brigade of five regi- 
ments on the road to Union. 

Early on the 19th Stuart's position on the Upper- 
ville turnpike was attacked by General D. M. Gregg's 
division, Colonel J. I. Gregg's brigade being in the ad- 
vance. The attack was resisted for a long time ; but 
when the enemy had gained a considerable advantage 
on the Confederate right by a charge of dismounted 
men supported by two regiments of cavalry, Stuart 



UPPERVILLE. 307 

withdrew to another line about a half a mile in his 
rear. This withdrawal was effected in good order, un- 
der the fire of the enemy's dismounted men and artil- 
lery, and no attempt was made to charge the retiring 
lines. During this movement Major Heros Von Borcke, 
an officer of the Prussian army, who was serving on 
General Stuart's staff, received a severe wound, which 
disabled him from future service. General Gregg 
claims to have captured a large number of prisoners, 
but makes no specifications. Colonel J. I. Gregg re- 
ports a loss of one hundred and twenty-seven officers 
and men from his brigade. No attack was made on 
Stuart's new position on this day, although hardly half 
of it was spent in this encounter. 

Jones' brigade reached Stuart on the evening of the 
19th, and was posted at Union ; Munford being moved 
still further to the left, to cover Snicker's Gap. Hamp- 
ton arrived on the 20th, having met and repulsed, near 
Warrenton, a body of the enemy's cavalry which was 
making a reconnoissance in that direction. Hampton 
had been notified to expect a collision with the en- 
emy, for the despatches captured by Mosby had indi- 
cated such a movement. Hampton was now stationed 
on the Upperville pike, and Chambliss was moved over 
to strengthen the line in front of Union. Although 
Stuart's five brigades were now in position, the neces- 
sity of guarding the three roads by which the moun- 
tain passes might be approached compelled him to di- 
vide his command into as many parts ; and forewarned 
that the enemy's cavalry was supported by a strong 
force of infantry, he determined still to act on the de- 
fensive, and, if heavily attacked, withdraw toward the 
mountains, concentrating his cavalry at Upperville, af- 
ter offering as much opposition as he could without 
involving his command in too serious a contest with 
superior numbers. 



308 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

At about eight o'clock on the morning of Sunday, the 
21st of June, the enemy moved out from Middleburg. 
Buford's division, three brigades, advanced on the road 
toward Union, endeavoring to turn Stuart's left flank ; 
while Gregg's division, three brigades, supported by 
Vincent's infantry brigade, which alone numbered on 
the 19th of June an effective total of 1,545/ advanced 
on the Upperville pike. General D. M. Gregg states 
in his report that his advance was at first intended as 
a feint to occupy Stuart's attention in front, while Bu- 
ford moved upon his left flank. But Buford found 
Chambliss and Jones so strong that he could do no 
more than make a direct attack upon them. General 
Gregg's feint against Hampton and Robertson was, 
therefore, soon changed into a serious attack. Kilpat- 
rick's brigade of cavalry and Vincent's brigade of in- 
fantry held the advance. Colonel Vincent, in his re- 
port, states with particularity the part taken by each 
of his four regiments up to a point west of Goose 
Creek, and reports a total loss of seven officers and 
men. 2 Pursuing the policy already indicated, Stuart 
directed Hampton and Robertson not to allow them- 
selves to become too heavily engaged, and at the same 
time he ordered Chambliss and Jones, to retire toward 
Upperville, as the artillery firing on the pike receded in 
that direction. 

The first position held by Stuart was about three 
miles west of Middleburg. Here he delayed the enemy 
as long as prudence permitted, and then retired en eche- 
lon of regiments, covered by his artillery. This order 
of retiring was maintained throughout the entire day, 
and at no time was the enemy able to cause any seri- 
ous disorder in his ranks. In leaving his first position 
a Blakely gun belonging to Hart's battery was aban- 

1 Records of the Adjutant-General's Office. 2 Ibid. 



ESTIMATE OF THE SITUATION. 309 

doned. The axle had been broken by a shot from the 
enemy, and no means were at hand for its renewal. 
This was the first piece belonging to the horse artillery 
which had, up to that time, fallen into the enemy's 
hands, and the only one lost on that day. 

The second position held by Stuart was on the w r est 
bank of Goose Creek, and here the enemy was delayed 
for several hours. At this point General Gregg's cav- 
alry and Vincent's infantry were still further reinforced 
by the reserve cavalry brigade from Buford's division, 
and from this position Stuart again withdrew, to effect 
a junction at Upperville with Jones and Chambliss, who 
were retiring slowly before Buford's advance. As the 
battle approached Upperville the enemy pressed with 
renewed vigor. When within a mile of the town Gen- 
eral Buford, believing from the appearance of the field 
that General Gregg was outnumbered, disengaged him- 
self from Chambliss' front and moved rapidly to Gen- 
eral Greg's assistance. Having the shorter line to 
traverse, he thus cut off Jones and Chambliss from 
effecting a junction with Hampton and Robertson east 
of Upperville. 

Perhaps the truest estimate of the situation north of 
the Upperville pike will be formed by a comparison of 
the reports of General John Buford and General W. E. 
Jones, proper allowance being made for the stand-points 
of these officers. General Buford says : — 

When within a mile of Upperville I saw a large force in 
front of General Gregg, who appeared to be outnumbered. I 
resolved to go to his aid. The column struck a brisk trot, but 
ran afoul of so many obstructions in the shape of ditches and 
stone fences that it did not make fast progress, and got out of 
shape. While in this position I discovered a train of wagons and 
a few troops to my right, marching at a trot, apparently mak- 
ing for Ashby's Gap. I turned the head of my column toward 



310 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

them, and very soon became engaged with a superior force. 
The enemy brought four twelve-pounder guns into position, and 
made some excellent practice on the head of my regiments as 
they came up. The gunners were driven from their guns, 
which would have fallen into our hands but for two impassable 
stone fences. The enemy then came up in magnificent style 
from the direction of Snickersville, and for a time threatened 
me with overwhelming numbers. He was compelled, however, 
to retire before the terrific carbine fire which the brave 8th 
Illinois and 3d Indiana poured into him. As he withdrew, my 
rear troops came up, formed, and pressed him back to the 
mountains. He was driven over the mountains into the 
valley. 

General Jones says : — 

Having arrived in rear of Colonel Chambliss' position he 
was found retiring, and the advance of the enemy towards Up- 
perville was such as to necessitate a deviation towards the 
mountain. This increase of distance rendered rapid movement 
necessary. The artillery of both brigades was put in the road, 
and the cavalry on the flanks, — Chambliss' to the left, and 
mine to the right, — approaching rapidly the elevation on 
which stands the house of Captain Gibson, to secure a position 
for our artillery. We found ourselves anticipated by the 
enemy, who, taking advantage of his shorter line, forced us 
into an engagement with Buford's whole division. The artil- 
lery, finding the struggle unavoidable, accepted with alacrity 
the part forced upon it by the enemy. The stone fence next 
the enemy was soon down, and the pieces in position were 
heard and felt by the enemy ; but the hostile cavalry pushing 
on, a charge became necessary to save the artillery. The 11th 
Virginia Cavalry, under Colonel O. R. Funsten (Colonel Lo- 
max being still in charge of the rear-guard), made the at- 
tack, checking the advance until the artillery could cross the 
lane, where it again took position. 

In the mean time the 7th Virginia coming up it was held in 
reserve. The leading squadron, under Captain H. R. T. Koontz, 
was sent to attack a body of the enemy approaching the road. 
The remainder of the regiment attacked the force to the front 
and left of the first position of our battery. The check thus 



GENERAL HAMPTON'S ACCOUNT. 311 

given the enemy enabled our artillery and cavalry to cross the 
road. 

By this time the enemy was massed in force in our front, 
and our cavalry having cleared our battery it played with fear- 
ful effect upon their men and horses. The punishment here 
inflicted, together with the difficulties of the ground, soon 
caused the enemy to abandon his intention of preventing a 
junction of our forces in Ashby's Gap. The difficulties of 
the ground brought Colonel Chambliss to my left in this 
engagement, our commands retiring together as soon as the 
pressure was removed. 

While these events were occurring on the north of 
the Upperville pike, General Gregg was handsomely 
pushing his advance upon the town. Robertson's bri- 
gade held the road, and the open fields north of it. As 
he retired through the town one of his regiments was 
thrown into some confusion, which was, however, in- 
stantly relieved by the splendid conduct of Hampton's 
brigade, on the right. As the enemy followed Robert- 
son on the road Hampton charged their flank with the 
Jeff Davis Legion. General Hampton gives the fol- 
lowing account of this action : — 

We repulsed the enemy, who threw a fresh regiment on the 
right flank of the Legion. I called up the right wing of the 
1st North Carolina Cavalry, five companies, under Lieutenant- 
Colonel Gordon (afterwards brigadier-general), and in turn 
charged. Another regiment charged the North Carolinians, 
when Colonel Baker, with the remaining five companies, struck 
them upon the flank. Baker was charged by a fresh regiment. 
Then I put in the Cobb Legion and broke the attacking 
party. The Cobb Legion was again attacked, and again with 
the Jeff Davis Legion I turned the flank ; and this series of 
charges went on until all of my regiments named had charged 
three times, and I had gained ground to the right and front of 
more than half a mile. At this moment the 2d South Caro- 
lina Cavalry was brought up in good order from the rear, and 
under its protection I reformed my command, and retired in 



312 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

column of regiments, at a walk and without molestation. In 
the mean time everything upon my left had given way, and the 
enemy were in Upperville. I came into the road beyond the 
village, and formed to support Robertson. 1 

Hampton brought off eighty prisoners from this 
fight. The enemy advanced but a short distance be- 
yond Upperville. The last charge of the day was 
made by Colonel P. G. Evans' regiment of North Caro- 
lina Cavalry, of Robertson's brigade. This was the reg- 
iment which had become disordered in retiring through 
the town. Colonel Evans was determined to atone for 
this disgrace. Placing himself at the head of his col- 
umn of fours in the narrow lane, and pointing with his 
drawn sabre toward the enemy, he cried, as with the 
voice of a trumpet, " Now, men, I want you to under- 
stand that I am going through ! " He kept his word, 
but fell mortally wounded in the midst of the enemy, 
whose ranks he had penetrated too far for the recovery 
of his body. A feeble attempt to follow this regiment 
as it returned from the charge was checked by Hamp- 
ton's brigade, and darkness closed down upon the scenes 
of this hard-fought day. Had a longer term of day- 
light permitted any further advance by the enemy they 
would have come into collision with Longstreet's in- 
fantry, which had come down from the gap to Stuart's 
aid. Of this reinforcement, however, General Pleas- 
onton was ignorant. He acknowledges in his report 
that he was unable to follow Stuart into the gap, and, 
except that he assured himself " that the enemy had 
no infantry force in Loudon Valley," was able to trans- 
mit to army headquarters no other information as the 
result of this reconnoissance beyond that " given by the 
negroes here." • 

The Official Reports of Federal commanders and the 

1 Philadelphia Weekly Times, July 20, 1878. 



STUARTS DEFENSIVE POLICY. 313 

narratives of Federal writers claim greater credit for 
the Federal cavalry than will be justified by a dispas- 
sionate study of all the records. The sum-total of 
results obtained in the way of information has already 
been indicated. As regards the fighting, it appears that 
Pleasonton, with superior force at his command, caused 
Stuart to retire over a distance certainly not greater 
than six miles, between eight o'clock in the morn- 
ing and dark, on one of the longest days of the year. 
There is nothing in the details of the battle as given by 
the subordinate Federal commanders which would in- 
dicate any decided advantage gained by them in the 
fighting, and nothing which militates against the state- 
ment that Stuart's defensive policy was successfully 
carried out during the whole day, and that his with- 
drawal from one position to another was executed in 
uniformly good order. If victory in any passage at 
arms is to be claimed by either side, it must be ac- 
corded to Hampton's brigade, which at the close of the 
day relieved the pressure on Robertson's two regiments, 
drove back the forces opposed to it, regained more 
than half a mile of ground, and retired from the battle 
at a walk, and unmolested. This success was mainly 
due to that personal influence which both during and 
since the war has marked Hampton as a leader of men. 
When the Jeff Davis Legion was counter-charged, its 
position seemed perilous. Hampton saw the danger, 
and turned to Baker's regiment. Drawing his sabre, 
and raising himself to his full height, he cried, " 1st 
North Carolina, follow me ! " and those North Carolini- 
ans could as little resist that appeal as iron can fail to 
obey the magnet. 

The duty devolving upon Stuart was one of the most 
difficult which belongs to the cavalry service, to retire 
in the presence of a superior force. He could oppose 






314 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

on either road only two brigades to the enemy's two 
divisions and their supporting infantry, and even the 
Federal reports, while claiming victory in general 
terms, show how stubbornly he contested the field. 

There was one feature of Stuart's conduct on this 
day which attracted my attention. Until the battle 
reached Upperville he personally participated in it but 
little, remaining, however, in close observation of the 
field. I asked the reason of this unusual proceeding, 
and he replied that he had given all necessary instruc- 
tions to his brigade commanders, and he wished them 
to feel the responsibility resting upon them, and to gain 
whatever honor the field might bring. 

Stuart's loss in the battles of the 17th, 19th, and 
21st of June was 65 killed, 279 wounded, and 166 
missing ; a total of 510. 

The Federal loss at Aldie and Micldleburg, on the 
17th of June, was 505. Colonel J. I. Gregg reports a 
loss of 127 in the battle of the 19th of June, and Gen- 
erals Gregg and Buford report a loss of 188 on the 
21st of June. Colonel Vincent lost 7 on the same day. 
The total Federal loss in these three engagements was, 
therefore, 827. 



CHAPTER XVII. 

GETTYSBURG. 

Eaely on the morning of the 22d of June General 
Pleasonton retired from Upperville, and on the same 
day Stuart's headquarters were reestablished at Rec- 
tor's Cross Roads, with pickets well advanced toward 
Middleburg. 

Colonel John S. Mosby has related in the Philadel- 
phia "Weekly Times" of the 15th of December, 1877, 
how he submitted to General Stuart, on the 23d, a 
plan of crossing the Bull Run Mountain at Glasscock's 
Gap, and of passing through the centre of Hooker's 
army in Loudon and Fairfax counties, with the purpose 
of crossing the Potomac at Seneca. While General 
Stuart does not mention Mosby's name in this con- 
nection, there is evidence in his report that this, with 
some modifications, was the plan which he submitted 
for the approval of General Lee ; for General Stuart 
states that, before moving from Rector's Cross Roads, 
he sent Mosby to reconnoitre within the enemy's lines, 
with orders to report to him on the 25th, near Gum 
Spring, Loudon County. It is also apparent from Stu- 
art's report that he was not restricted to this one route, 
but was free to act as circumstances might direct ; 
for he says : — 

I submitted to the commanding general the plan of leaving 
a brigade or so in my present front, and passing through 
Hopewell, or some other gap in Bull Run Mountain, attaining 



316 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

the enemy's rear, and passing between his main body and 
Washington, to cross into Maryland and join our army north 
of the Potomac. 

General Lee states in his report : — 

Upon the suggestion of the former officer (General Stuart) 
that he could damage the enemy and delay his passage of the 
river by getting in his rear, he was authorized to do so. 

And again : — 

In the exercise of the discretion given him when Longstreet 
and Hill marched into Maryland, General Stuart determined 
to pass around the rear of the Federal army with three bri- 
gades, and cross the Potomac between it and Washington, be- 
lieving that he would be able by that route to place himself on 
our right flank in time to keep us properly advised of the ene- 
my's movements. 

The circumstances under which Stuart received his 
orders well illustrate his spirit and hardihood as a sol- 
dier. The night of the 23d of June was most inclem- 
ent. A pitiless rain poured without cessation from the 
clouds, and the land was drenched. Although the shel- 
ter of the old house at the Cross Roads was available, 
at bedtime Stuart ordered his blanket and oil-cloths to 
be spread under a tree in the rear of the house, and 
directed me to sleep on the front porch, where I could 
readily light my candle and read any despatches which 
might come during the night. I remonstrated with 
him upon this needless exposure, but his reply was: 
" No ! my men are exposed to this rain, and I will not 
fare any better than they." It was late in the night 
when a courier arrived from army headquarters, bear- 
ing a despatch marked " confidential." Under ordinary 
circumstances I would not have ventured to break the 
seal ; but the rain poured down so steadily that I was 
unwilling to disturb the general unnecessarily, and yet 
it might be important that he should immediately be 



LEE'S ORDERS TO STUART. 317 

acquainted with the contents of the despatch. With 
some hesitation I opened and read it. It was a lengthy 
communication from General Lee, containing the direc- 
tions upon which Stuart was to act. I at once carried 
it to the general and read it to him as he lay under the 
dripping tree. With a mild reproof for having opened 
such a document, the order was committed to my charge 
for the night, and Stuart was soon asleep. It is much 
to be regretted that a copy of this letter cannot now 
be produced. A diligent search has failed to find it, 
and as General Stuart did not forward a copy of it 
with his report, I presume it was destroyed during our 
subsequent march. But I have many times had occa- 
sion to recall its contents, and I find that my recollec- 
tion of it is confirmed by several passages in General 
Stuart's report. 

The letter discussed at considerable length the plan 
of passing around the enemy's rear. It informed Gen- 
eral Stuart that General Early would move upon York, 
Pa., and that he was desired to place his cavalry as 
speedily as possible with that, the advance division of 
Lee's right wing. The letter suggested that, as the 
roads leading northward from Shepherdstown and Wil- 
liamsport w r ere already encumbered by the infantry, 
the artillery, and the transportation of the army, the 
delay which would necessarily occur in passing by these 
would, perhaps, be greater than would ensue if Gen- 
eral Stuart passed around the enemy's rear. The let- 
ter further informed him that, if he chose the latter 
route, General Early would receive instructions to look 
out for him and endeavor to communicate with him ; 
and York, Pa., was designated as the point in the 
vicinity of which he was to expect to hear from Early, 
and as the possible (if not the probable) point of con- 
centration of the army. The whole tenor of the letter 



318 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

gave evidence that the commanding general approved 
the proposed movement, and thought that it might be 
productive of the best results, while the responsibility 
of the decision was placed upon General Stuart him- 
self. Well may General Longstreet say : " Authority 
thus given a subordinate general implies an opinion on 
the part of the commander that something better than 
the drudgery of a march along our flank might be open 
to him, and one of General Stuart's activity and gal- 
lantry should not be expected to fail to seek it." l 

Having received his orders on the night of the 23d of 
June, General Stuart prepared on the 24th. to execute 
them. The three brigades of Hampton, Fitz Lee, and 
W. H. F. Lee, the latter under the command of Colonel 
Chambliss, were ordered to rendezvous that night at 
Salem, and Robertson's and Jones' brigades, under com- 
mand of Brigadier-General B. H. Robertson, "were left 
in observation of the enemy on the usual front, with 
full instructions as to following up the enemy in case of 
withdrawal, and joining our main army." 2 I do not 
profess to give authoritatively the reasons which led 
General Stuart to make this disposition of his brigades, 
but there are some considerations which seem to lie 
upon the surface. Stuart was about to undertake a 
hazardous movement, in which he needed not only vet- 
eran troops, but officers upon whose hearty cooperation 
he could confidently rely. These qualities were united 
in the brigades and brigade commanders which he se- 
lected to accompany him. Moreover, by this division 
of his brigades he left in close communication with the 
army a force of cavalry nearly equal to that which he 
carried with him, for Jones' brigade was by far the 
largest in the division, and when joined to Robertson's 

1 Philadelphia Weekly Times, November 3, 1877. 

2 Stuart's Report. 



STUART'S ESTIMATE OF GENERAL JONES. 319 

two regiments, this command must have numbered 
more than 3,000 men, even after deducting the losses in 
battle since the 9th of June. This force, added to Jen- 
kins' brigade, which constituted E well's advance in 
Pennsylvania, and which General Stuart estimated at 
3,800/ he was justified in considering sufficient to fulfil 
every duty which might be required of the cavalry by 
the commanding general. Another consideration doubt- 
less had weight. I have heard General Stuart pro- 
nounce in unqualified terms that he considered General 
Jones " the best outpost officer " in his command ; and 
that his watchfulness over his pickets and his skill and 
energy in obtaining information were worthy of all 
praise. General Stuart must, therefore, have consid- 
ered that he was leaving in communication with the 
army an officer eminently qualified for the duty of ob- 
serving and reporting the enemy's movements ; and 
that the fact that his brigade constituted, perhaps, four 
fifths of the force employed would cause General Rob- 
ertson, who commanded the two brigades, to give full 
weight to his sutwestions and counsels. 

I shall not be accused of attempting to detract from 
the good name of one of the most gallant, zealous, and 
efficient officers in the armies of Virginia, — one who 
proved his ability by his success in independent com- 
mand, who possessed the confidence of General Robert 
E. Lee, and who sealed his devotion to his country in 
his own blood, — when I say that, in his intercourse 
with General Stuart, General William E. Jones well 

1 General Early has shown in the Southern Historical Society Papers, vol. 
iv. p. 245, that Stuart's estimate of the strength of Jenkins' brigade was 
excessive, and that it did not contain more than 1,500 or 1,600 men. But 
my object is to present the facts as they appeared to Stuart's mind when 
called upon to decide between the alternatives laid before him by General 
Lee's orders ; and, whether correct or not, he certainly at that time relied 
upon the information which caused him to estimate Jenkins' brigade at 
3,800 men. 



320 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

justified the sobriquet by which he was known among 
his comrades in the old army — " Grumble Jones." In 
the fall of 1861, soon after Jones had been promoted 
and assigned to the command of the cavalry regiment 
of which Stuart had been colonel, there was an unfor- 
tunate interruption of their personal relations, after 
which kind cooperation between two such positive na- 
tures was hardly possible. On several occasions Gen- 
eral Stuart recorded his high estimate of Jones' abili- 
ties, and with equal clearness his protest against the 
assignment or promotion of Jones under his command. 
After Jones joined Stuart, in May, 1863, with his mag- 
nificent brigade, hardly a day passed without bringing 
to Stuart's adjutant-general official papers containing 
proof of Jones' idiosyncrasies. The disagreement be- 
tween these two valuable men culminated, in the fall of 

1863, in an official communication from Jones which 
Stuart could not overlook. General Stuart ordered his 
arrest and preferred charges against him. General 
Jones was afterwards assigned to the command of the 
department of Southwestern Virginia, where his dis- 
tinguished services are a matter of history. Captain 
Walter K. Martin, of Richmond, Va., so long and well 
known as General Jones' assistant adjutant-general, has 
given me the following incident : — 

At the opening of the Wilderness campaign in May, 

1864, General Jones was stationed at Saltville, Va. 
The news of the earlier battles of that campaign had 
spread through the country, and General Jones was 
awaiting the result with the greatest anxiety. Return- 
ing to his camp after an absence of nearly the whole 
day, he eagerly inquired of Martin what news had 
been received. Martin replied : " General Stuart has 
been killed." For many minutes Jones paced the floor 
of his tent in silence, with eyes bent on the ground. 
At length he said, with his own peculiar emphasis, — 



JONES' ESTIMATE OF STUART. 321 

" By G — , Martin ! Yon know I had little love for 
Stuart, and he had just as little for me ; but that is the 
greatest loss that army has ever sustained except the 
death of Jackson." * 

The three brigades selected to accompany Stuart 
rendezvoused at Salem during the earlier part of the 
night of the 24th, and at one o'clock on the same 
night marched out for Haymarket, passing through 
Glasscock's Gap early in the morning. As Stuart ap- 
proached Haymarket it was discovered that Hancock's 
corps, marching northward, occupied the road upon 
which he expected to move. A brisk artillery fire was 
opened upon the marching column, and was continued 
until the enemy moved a force of infantry against the 
guns. Not wishing to disclose his force, Stuart with- 
drew from Hancock's vicinity after capturing some pris- 
oners and satisfying himself concerning the movement 
of that corps. This information was at once started to 
General Lee by a courier bearing a despatch written by 
General Stuart himself. It is plain from General Lee's 
report that this messenger did not reach him ; and un- 
fortunately the despatch was not duplicated. Had it 
reached General Lee the movement of Hancock's corps 
would, of itself, have gone far to disclose to him the 
intentions of the enemy as to the place where a passage 
of the Potomac was about to be effected. 

It was now clearly impossible for Stuart to follow 
the route originally intended ; and he was called upon 
to decide whether he should retrace his steps and cross 
the Potomac at Shepherdstown, or by making a wider 
detour continue his march to the rear of the Federal 
army. He consulted with no one concerning the de- 
cision, and no one is authorized to speak of the mo- 

1 The reader will pardon this digression, the matter of which has seemed 
too important to occupy place in a foot-note. 
21 



322 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

tives which may have presented themselves to his mind. 
We may, however, fairly suggest the following consid- 
erations : Stuart's orders directed him to choose the 
most expeditious route by which to place himself on 
the right of Early's advance in Pennsylvania. Early 
was at Waynesboro', Pa., on the 23d of June, and his 
movements up to that day were of course known to 
Stuart, who did not leave Rector's Cross Roads until 
late in the afternoon of the 24th. Early's march to 
York, Pa., was indicated to Stuart in General Lee's or- 
ders, and York was named as the place where Stuart 
would probably find Early. 1 On the evening of the 
25th, when Stuart drew back to Buckland out of the 
way of Hancock's corps, at least sixty miles of a moun- 
tainous road lay between him and Shepherdstown, the 
nearest ford of the Potomac west of the mountains. 
He could not hope to reach Shepherdstown with his 
artillery earlier than the evening of the 27th ; and he 
would have been more than fortunate could he have 
occupied the passes of South Mountain on the 28th. 
He would even then have been at least thirty miles 
from Gettysburg, and twice that distance from York. 
It should not therefore be wondered at if this consid- 
eration alone decided Stuart to persist in the movement 
already begun, especially when there was also the hope 
of damaging the enemy in his rear and thus delaying 
his movements. Moreover he had a right to expect 
that the information he had forwarded concerning the 
movement of Hancock's corps would cause Robertson 
and Jones to be active on their front, and would put 
General Lee himself on the alert in the same direc- 
tion. 

Stuart withdrew from contact with Hancock's corps 
to Buckland, from whence he marched on the 26th 

1 See Stuart's Report. 



CROSSING ROWSER'S FORD. 323 

to the vicinity of Wolf Run Shoals, and on the 27th 
through Fairfax Court House to Dranesville, which he 
reached late in the afternoon of the 27th. General 
Hampton had a sharp encounter near Fairfax Court 
House with a squadron of cavalry from " Scott's Nine 
Hundred," commanded by Major Remington, which 
was on its way to Centreville. Major Remington and 
eighteen of his men escaped, but with a loss of eighty 
of his squadron. 1 This encounter cost Hampton's bri- 
gade the loss of a most gallant officer, Major John H. 
Whitaker, of the 1st North Carolina Cavalry, who was 
killed while leading the charge. 

It had been necessary to halt the command several 
times since the 25th to graze the horses, for the coun- 
try w T as destitute of provisions, and Stuart had brought 
no vehicles with him save ambulances. Upon reaching 
Dranesville Hampton's brigade was sent to Rowser's 
Ford, and made the passage early in the night ; but 
the Potomac was so wide, the water so deep, and the 
current so strong, that the ford was reported imprac- 
ticable for the artillery and ambulances. Another ford 
in the vicinity was examined, under circumstances of 
great danger, by Captain R. B. Kennon of Stuart's 
staff, but it was found to offer no better prospect of 
success, and Stuart determined to cross at Rowser's, if 
it were within the limits of possibility. The caissons 
and limber-chests were emptied on the Virginia shore, 
and the ammunition was carried over by the cavalry- 
men in their hands. The guns and caissons, although 
entirely submerged during nearly the whole crossing, 
were safely dragged through the river and up the steep 
and slippery bank, and by three o'clock on the morning 
of the 28th the rear-guard had crossed and the whole 
command was established upon Maryland soil. No 

1 Moore's Rebellion Record, vol. vii. p. 18. 



324 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

more difficult achievement was accomplished by the 
cavalry during the war. The night was calm and with- 
out a moon. No prominent object marked the entrance 
to the ford on either side, but horse followed horse 
through nearly a mile of water, which often covered 
the saddles of the riders. Where the current was strong 
the line would unconsciously be borne down the river, 
sometimes so far as to cause danger of missing the ford, 
when some bold rider would advance from the opposite 
shore and correct the alignment. Energy, endurance, 
and skill were taxed to the utmost; but the crossing 
was effected, and so silently that the nearest neighbors 
were not aware of it until daylight. Possession was 
immediately taken of the canal, which constituted one 
of the lines of supply for Hooker's army ; a number of 
boats, some containing troops, were captured, and the 
canal was broken. After the arduous labors of the 
night some rest was indispensable, especially for the ar- 
tillery horses, and the sun was several hours high before 
the command left the Potomac for Rockville. Hamp- 
ton's brigade moved in advance by way of Barnes- 
town, and found Rockville in the possession of a small 
force of the enemy, which was speedily scattered. 

It was past noon when Stuart entered Rockville. 
While halting for the purpose of destroying the tele- 
graph line, and to procure supplies, information was 
brought of the approach from Washington of a large 
train of wagons on the way to Meade's army. Lieuten- 
ant Thomas Lee, 2d South Carolina Cavalry, with four 
men from his regiment, dashed along the train and 
routed its small guard. Although some of the wagons 
in the rear had turned about and were moving rapidly 
toward Washington, Lee reached the one foremost in 
the retreat, and halted and turned it about within sight 
of the defences of the city. Chambliss' brigade fol- 



CAPTURE OF FEDERAL ARMY TRAIN. 325 

lowed, and the whole train was secured. One hundred 
and twenty-five of the wagons, and all of the animals 
belonging to the train, were turned over to the chief 
quartermaster of the army at Gettysburg. 

At this day we read the history of the minutest 
events connected with this campaign in the light of the 
final result. Had General Lee gained the battle of 
Gettysburg, as he said he would have done if Stone- 
wall Jackson had been present, 1 the persistency with 
which Stuart held on to these wagons, and the dif- 
ficulties he surmounted in transporting them safely 
through an enemy's country during the next three 
days and nights of incessant marching and fighting, 
would have been the cause of congratulation. But 
Gettysburg was lost to the Confederate arms, and not 
through Stuart's fault ; and every circumstance which 
might have contributed to a different result will be 
judged in the light of the final catastrophe. Consid- 
ered from this point of view, it must be acknowledged 
that the capture of this train of wagons was a mis- 
fortune. The time occupied in securing it was insig- 
nificant ; but the delay caused to the subsequent march 
was serious at a time when minutes counted almost as 
hours. Had Stuart been entirely unimpeded he would 
have probably passed Hanover, Pa., on the 30th, before 
the arrival of Kilpatrick's division, and would have 
been in communication with General Lee before night- 
fall on that day. That this w T ould have altered the 
result of the campaign is a matter of grave doubt ; but 
it would certainly have relieved the movement of the 
cavalry around the rear of Meade's army of the disap- 
probation to which some have given expression. 

Another cause of delay at Rockville was Stuart's 

1 Personal Reminiscences of General R. E. Lee, by Rev. J. William Jones, 
D. D., p. 156. 



326 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

humanity towards his prisoners, of whom more than 
four hundred were in his hands. Among them were 
Major James C. Duane and Captain N. Michler, of the 
Engineer Corps, U. S. A. At the urgent solicitation of 
these officers, Stuart consented to a parole, and the 
whole of the night was consumed at Brooksville and 
much time the next morning at Cooksville in accom- 
plishing this business, — a useless task ; for the Federal 
authorities refused to acknowledge the parole, and re- 
turned officers and men immediately to duty. 

While- this parole was being transacted, Fitz Lee's 
brigade was moved northward towards the Baltimore 
and Ohio Railroad, which it reached soon after day- 
light on the morning of the 29th. Much time was 
necessarily consumed in tearing up the track at Hood's 
Mill, in burning the bridge at Sykesville, and in destroy- 
ing the telegraph line ; but this work was effectually 
accomplished, and the last means of communication 
between General Meade's army and Washington was 
destroyed. Stuart now pressed on to Westminster, 
which he reached about five o'clock p. m. Here his 
advance encountered a brief but stubborn resistance 
from two companies of the 1st Delaware Cavalry, com- 
manded by Major N. B. Knight. This fight was more 
gallant than judicious on the part of Major Knight, for 
he reports a loss of sixty-seven men out of ninety-five. 1 
Two officers of the 4th Virginia Cavalry, who were well 
known as among the best in the regiment, — Lieuten- 
ants Pierre Gibson and John W. Murray, — were killed 
in this affair. Stuart says in his report that the ladies 
of the town begged to be allowed to superintend their 
interment, and that the request was granted. 

For the first time since the 24th an abundance of 
provisions for men and horses was obtained at West- 

1 Official Records, Preliminary Print, vol. xv. p. 929. 



AT LITTLESTOWN. 327 

minster ; and moving the head of his column to Union 
Mills, on the Gettysburg road, Stuart rested for the 
remainder of the night. Here he ascertained that the 
enemy's cavalry had reached Littlestown, seven miles 
distant, on the same evening, and had gone into camp. 
At this day we can see that it would have been bet- 
ter had Stuart here destroyed the captured wagons. 
Up to this time they had caused no embarrassment, 
for the necessary delay in destroying the railroad and 
telegraph on the previous day had given ample time 
for the movement of the train. But now the close 
proximity of the enemy suggested the probability of 
a collision on the morrow, and the separation of the 
brigades by the wide interval which the train occu- 
pied was a disadvantage which might well have caused 
its immediate destruction. But it was not in Stuart's 
nature to abandon an attempt until it had been proven 
to be beyond his powers ; and he determined to hold 
on to his prize until the last moment. This was un- 
fortunate. Kilpatrick's division, at Littlestown, was 
only seven miles from Hanover. His march would of 
course be directed upon that point early the next morn- 
ing. To reach the same place Stuart must traverse 
more than ten miles ; but an early start and an unim- 
peded march would have placed him in advance of his 
adversary. As it was he struck the rear of Farnsworth's 
brigade at about ten o'clock on the morning of the 30th, 
in the town of Hanover, and scattered one regiment, the 
18th Pennsylvania Cavalry, inflicting upon it a loss of 
eighty-six officers and men. 1 The 2d North Carolina 
Cavalry, temporarily commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel 
W. H. Payne, of the 4th Virginia Cavalry, made this 
attack, which, if it could have been properly supported, 
would have resulted in the rout of Kilpatrick's com- 

1 Official Records, preliminary print, vol. xv. p. 1G7. 



328 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

mand. But Hampton was separated from the leading 
brigade by the whole train of captured wagons, and 
Fitz Lee was marching on the left flank to protect the 
column from an attack by way of Littlestown. There 
was nothing at the front but Chambliss' small brigade ; 
and before anything could be brought to the assistance 
of the 2d North Carolina, General Farnsworth rallied 
his regiments, and drove the North Carolinians from 
the town. In this charge Lieutenant-Colonel Payne 
was captured. 

The road upon which this fight occurred debouches 
from the town of Hanover toward the south, and at a 
distance of perhaps three hundred yards from the town 
makes a turn almost at right angles as it ascends the 
hill beyond, enclosing a piece of meadow land, through 
which flows a little stream, whose steep banks form a 
ditch, from ten to fifteen feet wide and from three to 
four feet deep. Stuart, with his staff and couriers, 
occupied this field, on the side next the enemy. 
When the 2d North Carolina broke and retreated 
under Farnsworth's charge, this party maintained its 
position for some moments, firing with pistols at the 
flank of the enemy, who pursued the North Carolina 
regiment on the road. The position soon became one 
of extreme personal peril to Stuart, whose retreat by 
the road was cut off. Nothing remained but to leap 
the ditch. Splendidly mounted on his favorite mare 
Virginia, Stuart took the ditch at a running leap, and 
landed safely on the other side with several feet to 
spare. Some of his party made the leap with equal 
success, but not a few horses failed, and landed their 
riders in the shallow water, whence by energetic scram- 
bling they reached the safe side of the stream. The 
ludicrousness of the situation, notwithstanding the peril, 
was the source of much merriment at the expense of 
these unfortunate ones. 



AT HANOVER. 329 

Upon the repulse of the 2d North Carolina Stuart 
retired to the hills south and east of Hanover, which 
gave him such commanding position that the enemy 
declined further advance. Hampton, on his arrival, 
was moved to the right, and by means of his sharp- 
shooters dislodged the enemy from that part of the 
town. Fitz Lee in moving up on the left had encoun- 
tered a part of Custer's brigade, and captured a member 
of Kilpatrick's staff and a number of other prisoners. 
In the mean time the wagons had been placed in close 
park, and preparation had been made to burn them 
should the necessity arise. But Custer's brigade, 
which had at first been placed on Kilpatrick's left, was 
subsequently moved to his right, and Hampton's success 
having relieved Stuart's right, he now determined to 
send Fitz Lee forward with the train, through Jefferson 
toward York, Pa., hoping thus to gain information 
which would guide his future movements. It was, 
however, late in the afternoon before this could be 
effected, and not until night had fallen did Stuart deem 
it prudent to withdraw from Kilpatrick, who still main- 
tained his threatening position in front of Hanover. 
Kilpatrick showed no disposition to hinder Stuart's 
withdrawal, or to pursue him on the following day. 
He had been roughly handled during the short engage- 
ment at Hanover, and himself acknowledges an aggre- 
gate loss of 197. He moved as far northward on the 
next day as Abbottstown, and sent a detachment, under 
Lieutenant-Colonel A. J. Alexander, which followed 
Stuart's trail as far as Rossville, but neither of these 
movements came within Stuart's observation. 

During the night march to Jefferson the wagons and 
prisoners were a serious hindrance. Nearly four hun- 
dred prisoners had accumulated since the parole at 
Cooksville. Many of these were loaded in the wagons ; 



330 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

some of them acted as drivers. The mules were starv- 
ing for food and water, and often became unmanage- 
able. Not infrequently a large part of the train would 
halt in the road because a driver toward the front had 
fallen asleep and allowed his team to stop. The train 
guard became careless through excessive fatigue, and 
it required the utmost exertions of every officer on 
Stuart's staff to keep the train in motion. The march 
was continued through the entire night, turning north- 
ward at Jefferson. When Fitz Lee reached the road 
leading from York to Gettysburg he learned that 
Early had retraced his steps, and had marched west- 
ward. The best information which Stuart could ob- 
tain seemed to indicate that the Confederate army 
was concentrating in the vicinity of Shippensburg. 
After a short rest at Dover, on the morning of the 
1st of July, Stuart pressed on toward Carlisle, hoping 
there to obtain provisions for his troops, and definite 
information concerning the army. From Dover he 
sent Major A. R. Venable, of his staff, on the trail of 
Early's troops, and at a later hour of the day Cap- 
tain Henry Lee, of Fitz Lee's staff, was sent toward 
Gettysburg on a similar errand. Stuart had reached 
Carlisle before either of these officers could return with 
a report. He found the town in the possession of the 
enemy. When the Confederate infantry had withdrawn 
from it General W. F. Smith had occupied the town 
with two brigades of militia, supported by artillery 
and a small force of cavalry, General Smith was sum- 
moned to surrender, but refused. While preparing to 
enforce his demand Stuart received, through Major 
Venable and Captain Lee, the first information of the 
location of the Confederate army, and orders from 
General Lee to move at once for Gettysburg. Hamp- 
ton's brigade had brought up the rear from Dover, and 



AT HUNTERSTOWN. 331 

had not yet reached Dillsburg, at which place. he was 
met and turned southward, with orders to proceed ten 
miles on the road toward Gettysburg before halting. 
After burning the barracks and throwing a few shells 
into the outskirts of the town, from which a constant 
fire of musketry had been maintained, Stuart with- 
drew from Carlisle and proceeded in the same direction. 
Hampton reached Hunterstown on the morning of the 
2d of July, and was ordered to move thence to take 
position on the left of the Confederate infantry at 
Gettysburg. Before this movement was completed 
he received information of the advance of Kilpat- 
rick's division upon Hunterstown, and was directed 
by Stuart to return and meet it. General Hampton 
states that after some skirmishing the enemy attempted 
a charge, which was met in front by the Cobb Legion, 
and on either flank by the Phillips Legion and the 
2d South Carolina Cavalry, and that the enemy was 
driven back to the support of his dismounted men and 
artillery. He held the field until the next morning, 
when he found that the enemy had retired, leaving in 
Hunterstown some of his wounded officers and men. 
Lieutenant-Colonel W. G. Deloney was wounded in this 
affair, and the Cobb Legion suffered other severe losses. 
On the other hand General Custer's report reads as 
follows : — 

July 2d this regiment [the 6th Michigan Cavalry], being 
in advance, encountered the enemy's cavalry at Hunterstown. 
Here company A, Captain H. A. Thompson, charged a brigade 
of cavalry. Though suffering great loss he checked the enemy 
so as to enable our battery to be placed in position. The other 
squadrons of the regiment drove the enemy back, when the 
guns of the battery caused them precipitately to surrender the 
field. 

General Kilpatrick states in his report that he was 



332 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

attacked near Hunterstown by Stuart, Hampton, and 
Lee ; that lie drove the enemy from this point with 
great loss, and encamped for the night ; and that the 
loss in Custer's brigade was thirty-two, killed, wounded, 
and missing. 

Stuart himself, with Fitz Lee's and Chambliss' com- 
mands, reached Gettysburg on the afternoon of the 
2d, and took position on the Confederate left. For 
eight days and nights the troops had been marching 
incessantly. On the ninth night they rested within the 
shelter of the army, and with a grateful sense of relief 
which words cannot express. 

This movement of Stuart in the rear of the Federal 
army has been the subject of much discussion, and the 
prevalent opinion among writers, both Federal and 
Confederate, is that it was an error in strategy. Gen- 
eral J. A. Early is, so far as I know, the only prominent 
Confederate general who has expressed the opinion 
that it was not a misfortune to the Confederate cause. 
He says, on page 270, volume IV., " Southern Historical 
Society Papers " : — 

When Hooker was crossing the Potomac at Edwards' Ferry 
it was simply impossible for Stuart to cross that stream be- 
tween that point and Harper's Ferry, as Hooker was keeping 
up his communications with that place, and the interval was 
narrow. Stuart's only alternatives, therefore, were to cross 
west of the Blue Ridge, at Shepherdstown or Williamsport, or 
east of Hooker's crossing. He selected the latter, in accord- 
ance with the discretion given him, and it is doubtful whether 
the former would have enabled him to fulfil General Lee's ex- 
pectations, as Hooker immediately threw one corps to Knox- 
ville, on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, a short distance 
below Harper's Ferry, and three to Middletown, in the Ca- 
toctin Valley, while the passes of the South Mountain were 
seized and guarded, and Buford's division of cavalry moved on 



RESULTS OF STUARTS MOVEMENT. 333 

that flank. It is difficult, therefore, to perceive of what more 
avail in ascertaining and reporting the movements of the Fed- 
eral army Stuart's cavalry could have been if it had moved on 
the west of South Mountain than individual scouts employed 
for that purpose, while it is very certain that his movement on 
the other flank greatly perplexed and bewildered the Federal 
commanders, and compelled them to move slower. 

We may dismiss at once the inconsiderate charge that 
Stuart disobeyed or exceeded the orders given to him 
by General Lee, for General Lee states that Stuart 
acted " in the exercise of the discretion given to him." 
Stuart had submitted his plans to his commander, in a 
personal interview. Those plans were approved, and 
he was authorized to carry them out if in his opinion 
it seemed best to do so. The responsibility of the 
movement, strategically considered, rests with General 
Lee. Many considerations may be urged in its favor. 
Two objects were placed before Stuart. He was de- 
sired to gain information of the enemy's movements, 
and to damage and delay him on his march. Let us 
consider the latter object. Among the direct results of 
Stuart's movement we find that Meade was deprived 
of the services of all of his cavalry except Buford's 
division until noon on the 2d of July, and that Bu- 
ford's division was withdrawn from Meade's left on 
the second day of the battle at Gettysburg to pro- 
tect the depot of supplies at Westminster, leaving 
unguarded the flank of Sickles' corps, to which circum- 
stance is largely attributed the success of Longstreet's 
attack upon that corps. 1 A portion of French's com- 
mand was also diverted eastward, to protect commu- 
nication with Washington. Indeed, no one can read 
the despatches which passed between Meade and Hal- 
leck from the 28th of June to the 1st of July with- 

1 See Bates' Gettysburg, p. 111. 



334 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

out noting the perplexity which existed in regard to 
Lee's movements, and the wide divergence eastward of 
Meade's corps, both caused by the presence of Stuart 
in his rear. From this cause alone the 6 th corps was 
able to participate only in the battle of the last day. 
It must, therefore, be acknowledged that in one respect 
General Stuart's movement accomplished all that was 
anticipated. General Lee expected that he would be 
able to delay the movements of the enemy, and pro- 
duce confusion and uncertainty in regard to the move- 
ments of his own army. This Stuart accomplished, 
and it does not appear that he could have secured these 
results by any other mode of operations ; for had he 
decided to cross the Potomac at Shepherdstown he 
must have remained near Rector's Cross Roads until 
the morning of the 26th, when the northward move- 
ment of Hooker's army would have been developed 
to him. He could have crossed at Shepherdstown on 
the 27th, but he could not have done more than 
occupy the gaps of South Mountain with a portion 
of his command on the 28th, even if unopposed. 
These movements could hardly have been concealed 
from the signal stations of the enemy, and would 
have been met by corresponding movements of the 
enemy's cavalry; for on the 28th Buford's division 
was at Middletown and Kilpatrick's at Frederick, ready 
to force a passage through the mountains and fall upon 
Lee's trains. A concentration of these divisions upon 
any one of the gaps would have enabled them to 
accomplish this result, and with nothing to attract 
attention on the other side of Meade's army there can 
be but little doubt that some plan of this nature would 
have been adopted. But on the 28th Halleck was 
urging Meade to send cavalry in pursuit of the raiders, 
and Gregg's and Kilpatrick's divisions were diverted 



GENERAL EARLY'S OPINION. 335 

from Meade's left to protect his right and rear, while 
Buford was left to bear alone a two hours' conflict with 
the Confederate infantry at Gettysburg. The result 
shows that no better plan could have been adopted to 
secure Lee's right flank from annoyance. 

It remains to consider whether Stuart made proper 
arrangements to obtain information concerning the en- 
emy's movements during his separation from the army. 
Had he decided to follow Longstreet's crossing at Shep- 
herclstown and operate on that flank, he could have 
attained this end only by using individual scouts or by 
making reconnoissances in force. For the latter pur- 
pose the force under Stuart's command was insufficient. 
After making the detachments which must necessarily 
have been made to observe or guard the passes of 
South Mountain, the handful of veterans left would 
have been unable to do more than hold their own in 
the presence of the Federal cavalry, which in recent 
encounters had proven itself an adversary by no means 
to be despised. Unless provided with an infantry sup- 
port, Stuart could have made no reconnoissance which 
would have held forth any hope of piercing the cavalry 
which enveloped Hooker's advance. General Early 
speaks wisely when he says : " It is doubtful whether 
the former [alternative] would have enabled him to 
fulfil General Lee's expectations!' 

It seems necessary to emphasize the fact that Stuart 
carried but a portion of his cavalry with him, and that 
he left in direct communication with the army a force 
numerically superior to that under his own immediate 
command. Jenkins' brigade and White's battalion from 
Jones' brigade, which accompanied the advance of the 
army in Pennsylvania, numbered not less than 1,800 
men, while Robertson's and Jones' brigades, which re- 
mained on the front vacated by Stuart, numbered about 



336 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

3,000. Mosby and Stringfellow, two of the best scouts 
in either army, were, by Stuart's direction, operating 
within the enemy's lines; but Mosby was paralyzed 
by his failure to find Stuart in consequence of the 
movements of Hancock's corps, and Stringfellow had 
been captured and had allowed himself to be carried 
to Washington, intending to make his escape thence 
and return with the information he might gather. 
He had succeeded in this plan on a former occasion, 
but now was so closely guarded that he found no 
opportunity to escape, and only rejoined Stuart after 
the close of the campaign, and through the channel 
of regular exchange. The arrangements which Stuart 
made for obtaining information appear to have been 
adequate to the occasion, and it seems strange that 
General Lee did not use Robertson and Jones for this 
purpose. He was aware that under the most favor- 
able circumstances Stuart must be separated from the 
army for at least three or four days, and that during 
that time he must look to some one else for infor- 
mation ; but although in daily communication with 
Robertson, he does not appear to have called upon 
him for such service ; nor can it be discovered that 
Robertson made effort in that direction. He remained 
in the vicinity of Berryville until the 1st of July, on 
which day he was ordered by General Lee to join the 
army in Pennsylvania. It is to be regretted that Stu- 
art did not assume the risk of taking Jones with him, 
and that he did not leave behind him Hampton or Fitz 
Lee ; for it is inconceivable that either of these officers, 
with or without orders, would have remained inactive 
under such circumstances. It was not the want of cav- 
alry that General Lee bewailed, for he had enough of it 
had it been properly used. It was the absence of Stu- 
art himself that he felt so keenly ; for on him he had 



GETTYSBURG. 337 

learned to rely to such an extent that it seemed as if 
his cavalry were concentrated in his person, and from 
him alone could information be expected. Hampton 
or Fitz Lee, better than any one else, would have sup- 
plied Stuart's place to the commanding general. 

On the morning of the 3d several hours were con- 
sumed in replenishing the ammunition of the cavalry. 
Jenkins' brigade, commanded by Colonel M. J. Ferguson, 
of the 16th Virginia Cavalry, was added to Stuart's com- 
mand, but by some bad management was supplied with 
only ten rounds of cartridges to the man. At about 
noon Stuart, with Jenkins' and Chambliss' brigades, 
moved out on the York turnpike, to take position on the 
left of the Confederate line of battle. Hampton and 
Fitz Lee were directed to follow. Breathed and Mc- 
Gregor had not been able to obtain ammunition, and 
were left behind, with orders to follow as soon as their 
chests were filled. Griffin's 2d Maryland battery, which 
had never before served under Stuart, accompanied Jen- 
kins and Chambliss. Stuart's object was to gain position 
where he would protect the left of Ewell's corps, and 
would also be able to observe the enemy's rear and attack 
it in case the Confederate assault on the Federal lines 
were successful. He proposed, if opportunity offered, to 
make a diversion which mio-ht aid the Confederate in- 
fantry to carry the heights held by the Federal army. 

After marching about two and a half miles on the 
York turnpike, Stuart turned to his right by a country 
road which led past the Stallsmith farm to " a com- 
manding ridge which completely controlled a wide plain 
of cultivated fields stretching towards Hanover on the 
left, and reaching to the base of the mountain spurs 
among which the enemy held position." l This ridge is 

1 Stuart's Report. 
22 



338 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

known as the Cress Ridge. Its northern end was cov- 
ered with woods, which enveloped the road by which he 
approached it, and concealed his presence from the en- 
emy. Near where the woods terminated on the south- 
west, and on the slope of the hill, stood a stone dairy, 
covering a spring. On the plain below, and not more 
than three hundred yards from the foot of the hill, stood 
a large frame barn, known as the Rummel Barn. A 
glance satisfied Stuart that he had gained the position 
he wanted. The roads leading from the rear of the 
Federal line of battle were under his eye and could be 
reached by the prolongation of the road by which he 
had approached. Moreover, the open fields, although 
intersected by many fences, admitted of movement in 
any direction. When Stuart first reached this place 
the scene was as peaceful as if no war existed. The 
extension of the ridge on his right hid from view the 
lines of the contending armies, and not a living crea- 
ture was visible on the plain below. While carefully 
concealing Jenkins' and Chambliss' brigades from view, 
Stuart pushed one of Griffin's guns to the edge of the 
woods and fired a number of random shots in different 
directions, himself giving orders to the gun. This, 
quite as much as the subsequent appearance of Hamp- 
ton and Fitz Lee in the open ground to the left, an- 
nounced his position to the enemy's cavalry ; for Gen- 
eral Gregg tells us that about noon he had received 
notice from army headquarters that a large body of 
cavalry had been observed moving toward the Confed- 
erate left. He was, therefore, on the alert before Stu- 
art's arrival. I have been somewhat perplexed to ac- 
count for Stuart's conduct in firing these shots ; but I 
suppose that they may have been a prearranged signal 
by which he was to notify General Lee that he had 
gained a favorable position; or, finding that none of 



GETTYSBURG. 339 

the enemy were within sight, he may have desired to 
satisfy himself whether the Federal cavalry was in his 
immediate vicinity before leaving the strong position he 
then held ; and receiving no immediate reply to this fire, 
he sent for Hampton and Fitz Lee, to arrange with them 
for an advance and an attack upon the enemy's rear. 
In the mean time Lieutenant-Colonel Vincent Witcher's 
battalion,- of Jenkins' brigade, was dismounted and sent 
forward to hold the Rummel barn and a line of fence 
on its right. Matters were not, however, allowed to 
remain in this position. Stuart's messenger was a long 
time in finding Hampton ; and before he, in turn, could 
find Stuart, the condition of the field required his pres- 
ence with his own brigade. 

The first sign of activity on the Federal side came 
from a battery near the house of Joseph Spangler. 
This was horse battery M, 2d United States Artillery, 
consisting of six three-inch rifles, and commanded by 
Lieutenant A. C. M. Pennington. The fire of these 
guns was most accurate and effective. The first shot 
struck in Griffin's battery, and shot after shot came 
with such precision and rapidity that Griffin was soon 
disabled and forced to seek shelter. The enemy now 
advanced a strong line of dismounted men against Colo- 
nel Witcher's position, overlapping his right. Witcher 
was reinforced by a dismounted squadron from Cham- 
bliss' command, which took position on his left, and the 
line was still further extended in that direction by 
sharpshooters from Hampton's and Fitz Lee's brigades. 
The 2d Virginia Cavalry held the extreme left. Rein- 
forcements were now added to the Federal line along 
the whole front. While these dispositions were being 
made, Witcher's battalion had been hotly engaged on the 
right, and so long as his ten rounds of cartridges lasted, 
he not only maintained his ground, but even gained on 



340 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

the enemy. The failure of his ammunition caused him 
to retire for a short distance just as the lines on his left 
closed in deadl}- fight. Here the charge of the Confed- 
erate sharpshooters was a success. The men sprang 
eagerly to their work, and the Federal line was driven 
back across the field for a long distance. It is either to 
this or to the mounted charge which next followed that 
Colonel J. Irving Gregg refers in the following extract 
from his report : " My command did not participate in 
the cavalry fight of July 3d, except one section of Cap- 
tain Randol's battery, under command of Lieutenant 
Chaster, which was hotly engaged, and was obliged to 
retire about two hundred yards on account of a portion 
of General Custer's command giving way." 

Up to this time no mounted men had been employed 
on either side ; but now the enemy brought forward a 
body of cavalry which rode through the Confederate 
line, drove it back, and captured a number of prison- 
ers. This Federal charge was continued nearly to the 
original line held by the Confederates at the Rummel 
barn, where it was met by Chambliss' brigade, aided 
by the 1st Virginia Cavalry. The Federal cavalry 
was in turn forced back, but being reinforced, the tide 
was turned against Chambliss, and he was driven back 
to his starting-point. Just then Hampton arrived with 
the first North Carolina and the Jeff Davis Legion, and 
the battle was renewed back and forth across the plain 
until all of Hampton's brigade except the Cobb Legion, 
and all of Fitz Lee's brigade except the 4th Virginia 
Cavalry, were engaged in the fierce hand to hand melee 
which followed. For many minutes the fight with 
sabre and pistol raged most furiously. Neither party 
seemed willing to give way. The impetuous attack 
of the Federal cavalry was, however, finally broken ; 
and both parties withdrew to the lines held at the 



RESULT OF THE CAVALRY BATTLE. 341 

opening of the fight. During this conflict the artillery 
on either side had participated so far as the safety of 
their own troops would permit. Breathed and Mc- 
Gregor had reached the field, and had taken position 
near where Griffin's battery was originally posted. 
After the cavalry fighting was ended a fierce artillery 
duel ensued, in whieh the Confederate batteries suf- 
fered some severe losses. The inferiority of their am- 
munition was painfully evident. Many of their shells 
exploded before they had halfway crossed the plain. 
Breathed and McGregor, however, held their position 
until nightfall. 

The result of this battle shows that there is no prob- 
ability that Stuart could successfully have carried out 
his intention of attacking the rear of the Federal right 
Hank, for it was sufficiently protected by Gregg's com- 
mand. As soon as General Gregg was aware of Stu- 
art's presence he wisely assumed the aggressive, and 
forced upon Stuart a battle in which he had nothing 
to gain but the glory of the fighting ; while Gregg 
himself performed the paramount duty of protecting 
the right flank of the Federal army. At the close of 
the battle General Gregg had a reserve of one strong 
brigade which had hardly been engaged at all, and 
which was drawn up ready for action in full view of the 
Confederate position. Stuart had no fresh troops with 
which to renew the fight ; he therefore maintained 
his position until night, when he withdrew to the York 
turnpike, leaving the 1st Virginia Cavalry on picket on 
the field. 

This battle has been described from the Federal 
stand-point by Colonel William Brooke - Rawle, in an 
address delivered at the dedication of the monumental 
shaft which marks the scene of the engagement. This 
address is characterized by a spirit of fairness and an 



342 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

accuracy of description which are worthy of imitation. 
It is only in regard to the result of the last melee that 
many surviving Confederate cavalrymen demand that 
I shall present their testimony. Colonel Brooke-Rawle 

says : — 

As Hart's squadron and other small parties charged in from 
all sides, the enemy turned. Then there was a pell-mell rush, 
our men following in close pursuit. Many prisoners were cap- 
tured, and many of our men, through their impetuosity, were 
curried away by the overpowering current of the retreat. The 
pursuit was kept up past Rummel's, and the enemy was driven 
back into the woods beyond. The line of fences, and the farm- 
buildings, the key-point of the field, which in the beginning of 
the fight had been in the possession of the enemy, remained 
in ours until the end. 

I have not been able to find any Confederate who 
will corroborate this statement : on the contrary, all 
the testimony on that side indicates a result successful 
to the Confederates in the last charge. It is not just 
to say that this arises from a disposition on the part 
of the Southern cavalrymen to claim uniform victory 
for themselves ; for they have put on record many in- 
stances of candid acknowledgment of defeat. Moreover, 
it is improbable that Federal skirmishers could have held 
possession of the Rummel barn : for that building was 
not more than three hundred yards from the woods 
from which Jenkins' and Chambliss' brigades debouched 
for the fight, and on the edge of which the Confederate 
cavalry and artillery held position until the close of the 
day. And yet it was more than half a mile from the 
Lott house, which was, perhaps, the nearest point where 
any Federal cavalry were visible. If Federal skirmish- 
ers held the Rummel barn they concealed their pres- 
ence ; otherwise their capture would have been effected 
before aid could have been sent to them. 



CONFEDERATE TESTIMONY. 343 

The testimony of many individuals is inconsistent 
with the idea of the Federal occupation of the Rum- 
mel barn. After the fighting had ceased, I accompa- 
nied Stuart as he rode over a part of the field in the 
vicinity of the barn, and often in close rifle range of it. 
We were the only horsemen visible on the plain. The 
fire from the opposing batteries passed over our heads ; 
and we were so much endangered by the premature 
explosion of shells from our own guns, that I at length 
ventured to expostulate with him for what I considered 
an unnecessary exposure of his person. I may acid 
that, attended by Private J. Thompson Quarles of our 
escort, I remained on the field until about ten o'clock 
at lrght, superintending the execution of some orders 
which had been intrusted to my care. 

Dr. Talcott Eliason, Chief Surgeon of the cavalry 
division, writes to me in a letter of recent date that he 
remained in the vicinity of the Hummel barn, remov- 
ing the wounded, a majority of whom were Federals, 
until half past seven or eight o'clock in the evening. 

Colonel W. A. Morgan, of the 1st Virginia Cavalry, 
who vas wounded in this battle, writes : — 

The b.-rn, a large frame one, was certainly held by a por- 
tion of my "egiment during the fighting of the afternoon, and 
all night unt.'l outlines were called in, and the retreat began 
with our cavalry as rear-guard. My regiment held its line 
until recalled early the next morning. 

The Rev. G. W. Beale, of Buchanan, Va., who, as 
lieutenant, commanded a squadron of the 9th Virginia 
Cavalry at Gettysburg, writes as follows : — 

Our dismounted men were giving way on Jenkins' line, 
and a bf»dj of mounted men were dashing forward to force a 
rout, when we moved forward at a trot, passed Rummel's 
barn, and engaged the mounted men at close range across a 
fence. Some of our troops, dismounting, threw down the 



344 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

fence and we entered the field. A short hand to hand fight 
ensued, but the enemy speedily broke and fled. Whilst pur- 
suing them I observed another body of the enemy approach- 
ing rapidly from the right to strike us- in the flank and rear. 
I bore off in company with a portion of our men to meet and 
check this force. We soon found ourselves overpowered, and 
fell back closely pressed on two lines which converged at 
the barn. I was by General Stuart's side as we approached 
the barn. My horse fell at this point, placing me in danger 
of being made a prisoner. At this moment General Hampton 
dashed up at the head of his brigade. He was holding the 
colors in his hand, and passed them into the hands of a sol- 
dier at his side just as he swept by me. The charge of his 
brigade, as far as I could judge, was successful in driving the 
enemy back from that part of the field. Our brigade re- 
formed on the edge of the woods in which it stood before the 
charge was made, and this position was held until we were 
quietly withdrawn at night. Our position commanded an easy 
view of the barn and of the line our skirmishers assumed at 
the beginning of the battle. We were so near to the barn that 
I rode back to where my horse had fallen, to secure if possible 
the effects strapped on my saddle. Later in the evening I 
sent two of my men to the same spot to search for the body of 
Private B. B. Ashton, of my company, who was supposed to 
have been left dead on the field. These facts warrant me in 
the conviction that we were not driven from the fielJ, as has 
been contended. 

Among the incidents of this engagement I reme.nber to have 
seen young Richardson, of company B, 9th Virginia Cavalry, 
the brother of our sergeant-major, fall on the fence as he was 
leaping into the field, mortally wounded by a piece of a shell. 
Corporal Caroll and Private Jett, of company C, after the 
hand to hand fight in the field, showed me their sabres cut off 
close to the hilt, and Caroll's forehead was gashed with a 
sabre. 

Fitz Lee's brigade held the left of the Confederate 
line northeast of the Rummel barn. General Fitzbugh 
Lee writes : — 

The position held by my cavalry at Gettysburg on the morn- 



\ 






AT CASHTOWN AND FAIRFIELD. 347 

preserve. The 9th regiment was not more than one 
hundred strong, and the brigade could have hardly ex- 
ceeded three hundred." The other regiments of Stuart's 
command were reduced in a similar proportion. 

The Confederate batteries engaged were McGregor's, 
Breathed's, and Griffin's. 

While Stuart was thus occupied on the Confederate 
left, Robertson's command was not inactive on the 
right. He had moved from the vicinity of Berryville 
on the 1st of July, and proceeding by way of Williams- 
port and Chambersburg, had reached Cashtown on the 
3d. General Jones' brigade was reduced to three regi- 
ments, the 6th, 7th, and 11th. The 12th Virginia Cav- 
alry had been picketing toward Harper's Ferry, and 
was left on that front, where, on the night of the 30th 
of June, Adjutant Harman and Lieutenant George 
Baylor captured a picket consisting of a lieutenant and 
nineteen men, one of the enemy being killed and one 
escaping. 

At Cashtown orders were received from General Lee 
that a force of cavalry should be sent to Fairfield to 
protect the wagon trains. General Jones immediately 
proceeded in that direction with his three regiments. 
About two miles from Fairfield he encountered the 6th 
United States Cavalry. The opposing forces met in 
a lane, both sides of which were of post-and-rail fences 
too strong to be broken except with the axe. Al- 
though the country was open, the numerous small fields, 
divided by similar fences, rendered it difficult to bring 
into action more than a small body of men at one 
time. The 7th Virginia Cavalry made the first attack, 
but being met by a severe fire of dismounted men on 
either flank, the regiment broke and retired. General 
Jones says in his report : " A failure to rally promptly 
and renew the fight is a blemish in the bright history 



348 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

of this regiment. Many officers and men formed noble 
exceptions." Lieutenant - Colonel Thomas Marshall, 
commanding this regiment, admits this bad conduct 
with all frankness, but states that a portion of the regi- 
ment joined in the subsequent charge and contributed 
to the final result. The 7th regiment lost in this affair 
thirty men, only one of whom was captured. 

The 6th Virginia Cavalry, under Major C. E. Flour- 
noy, was now brought to the front and fully retrieved 
the fortunes of the day. An unhesitating charge 
broke the enemy and routed him. Major Samuel H. 
Starr, commanding the 6th Regulars, was wounded 
and captured, as was also his second in command, 
Captain G. C. Cram. General Jones states that he 
captured 184 prisoners. Colonel Marshall states the 
number at 220 ; while Lieutenant Nicholas Nolan, who 
commanded this regiment on the 27th of July, reports an 
aggregate loss of 298 officers and men and 292 horses. 1 
Captain D. T. Richards, of the 6th Virginia, led this 
charge with his squadron. Adjutant John Allen was 
killed at the head of the regiment. Lieutenant R. R. 
Duncan, of company B, is mentioned by Major Flour- 

1 Captain G. C. Cram, commanding the 6th United States Cavalry, re- 
ports that he carried into the battle on the 21st of June 12 commissioned 
officers and 242 enlisted men. The records of the Adjutant-General's Of- 
fice show that at that time over 400 men were absent from the regiment on 
" detached service." Between the 21st and 30th of June many of these 
absentees had been returned, so that at the latter date the regiment num- 
bered 587 officers and men "present for duty." The actual loss of the 
regiment on the 3d of July, as shown by the records, was six men killed, 
five officers and 23 men wounded, and five officers and 203 men captured or 
missing ; a total of 242. On the 7th of July the 7th Virginia Cavalry again 
encountered the 6th United States Cavalry, and inflicted upon it a loss of 
59. In these two engagements this regiment lost 301 officers and men. Such 
a loss would almost have annihilated anyone of the Confederate regiments ; 
and accordingly we find that General W. E. Jones remarks : " The 6th 
United States Regular Cavalry numbers among the things that were." Gen- 
eral Jones was mistaken. This regiment still kept the field with respec- 
table numbers. 



STUART'S REPORT. 349 

noy as " conspicuous for his daring." The loss in this 
regiment was 28, of whom five were missing. 

After dark, on the 3d, Stuart withdrew his cavalry 
from the battle-field to the York road, where he en- 
camped for the night. The main army was at the 
same time withdrawn to the ridges west of Gettysburg. 
Information of this movement did not reach Stuart, and 
it was only by a personal visit to army headquarters 
during the latter part of the night that he was made 
acquainted with it. His command was now in an iso- 
lated and exposed position, but it was successfully with- 
drawn early on the morning of the 4th. 

Stuart's report thus continues the narrative of his 
movements : — 

Dui-ing the 4th, which was quite rainy, written instructions 
were received from the commanding general as to the order of 
march back to the Potomac, to be undertaken at nightfall. In 
this order two brigades of cavalry (Fitz Lee's and Hampton's) 
were ordered to move, as heretofore stated, by way of Cash- 
town, guarding that flank, bringing up the rear on the road 
via Greenwood to Williamsport, which was the route desig- 
nated for the main portion of the wagon trains and ambulances, 
under the special charge of General Imboden, who had a mixed 
command of artillery, infantry, and cavalry (his own). 

Previous to these instructions I had, at the instance of the 
commanding general, instructed Brigadiei'-General Robertson, 
whose two brigades (his own and Jones') were now on the right 
near Fairfield, Pa., that it was essentially necessary for him to 
hold the Jack Mountain passes. These included two prominent 
roads, — the one north and the other south of Jack Mountain, 
which is a sort of peak in the Blue Ridge chain. 

In the order of march (retrograde) one corps (Hill's) pre- 
ceded everything through the mountain ; the baggage and 
prisoners of war were escorted by another corps. Longstreet 
occupied the centre, and the 3d (Ewell's) brought up the 
rear. The cavalry was disposed as follows : two brigades on 
the Cashtown road, under General Fitz Lee ; and the remain- 



350 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

der, Jenkins' and Chambliss', under my immediate command, 
was directed to proceed by way of Emmittsburg, Md., so as to 
guard the other flank. I dispatched Captain W. W. Black- 
ford, of the engineer corps, to General Robertson, to inform 
him of my movement and direct his cooperation, as Emmitts- 
burg was in his immediate front and was probably occupied 
by the enemy's cavalry. It was dark before I had passed the 
extreme right of our line, and having to pass through very 
dense woods, taking by-roads, it soon became so dark that it 
was impossible to proceed. We were in danger of losing the 
command as well as the road. It was raining, also. We 
halted several hours, when, having received a good guide, and 
it becoming more light, the march was resumed, and just at 
dawn we entered Emmittsburg. We there learned that a 
large body of the enemy's cavalry had passed through that 
point the afternoon previous, going toward Monterey, one of 
the passes designated in my instructions to Brigadier-General 
Robertson. I halted for a short time to procure some rations, 
and, examining my map, I saw that this force would either 
attempt to force one of the gaps, or, foiled in that (as I sup- 
posed they would be), it would either tui - n to the right and 
bear off toward Fairfield, where it would meet with a like re- 
pulse from Hill's or Longstreet's corps, or, turning to the left 
before reaching Monterey, would strike across by Oeiler's Gap 
toward Hagerstown, and thus seriously threaten that portion 
of our trains which, under Imboden, would be passing down 
the Greencastle pike the next day, and interpose itself between 
the main body and its baggage. I did not consider that this 
force could seriously annoy any other portion of the command 
under the order of march prescribed, particularly as it was 
believed that those gaps would be held by General Robertson 
till he could be reinforced by the main body. I therefore de- 
termined to adhere to my instructions and proceed by way of 
Cavetown, by which I might intercept the enemy should he 
pass through Oeiler's Gap. 

In and around Emmittsburg we captured 60 or 70 prison- 
ers of war, and some valuable hospital stores en route from 
Frederick to the army. 

The march was resumed on the road to Frederick until we 



STUART'S REPORT. 351 

reached a small village called Cooperstown, where our route 
turned short to the right. Here I halted the column to feed, 
as the horses were much fatigued and famished. The column, 
after an hour's halt, continued through Harbaugh's Valley, by 
Zion Church, to pass the Catoctin Mountain. The road sepa- 
rated before debouching from the mountain, one fork leading 
to the left by Smithtown, and the other to the right, bearing 
more towards Leitersburg. I divided my command, in order 
to make the passage more certain, — Colonel Ferguson, com- 
manding Jenkins' brigade, taking the left road, and Chambliss' 
brigade, which I accompanied, the other. Before reaching the 
west entrance to this pass I found it held by the enemy, and 
had to dismount a large portion of the command and fight 
from crag to crag of the mountain to dislodge the enemy, 
already posted. Our passage was finally forced, and as my 
column emerged from the mountains it received the fire of 
the enemy's battery, posted to the left on the road to Boons- 
boro'. I ascertained too, about this time, by the firing, that 
the party on the other route had met with resistance, and sent 
at once to apprise Colonel Ferguson of our passage, and di- 
rected him, if not already through, to withdraw and come by 
the same route I had followed. Our artillery was soon in po- 
sition, and a few fires drove the enemy from his position. 

I was told by a citizen that the party I had just attacked 
was the cavalry of Kilpatrick, who had claimed to have cap- 
tured several thousand prisoners and four or five hundred wag- 
ons from our forces near Monterey ; but I was further informed 
that not more than forty wagons accompanied them, and other 
facts I heard led me to believe the success was far overrated. 
About this time Captain G. M. Emack, of the Maryland Cav- 
alry, with his arm in a sling, came to us and reported that 
he had been in the fight of the night before, and partially con- 
firmed the statement of the citizen, and informed me, to my 
surprise, that a large portion of Ewell's corps trains had pre- 
ceded the army through the mountains. 

It was nearly night, and I felt it of the first importance to 
open communication with the main army, particularly as I was 
led to believe that a portion of this force might still be hover- 
ing on its flanks. I sent a trusty and intelligent soldier (Pri- 



352 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

vate Robert W. Goode, 1st Virginia Cavalry) to reach the 
commanding general by a route across the country, and relate 
to him what I knew as well as what he might discover en route, 
and moved towards Leitersburg as soon as Colonel Ferguson 
came up, who, although his advance had forced the passage of 
the gap, upon the receipt of my despatch turned back and 
came by the same route I had taken, thus making an unneces- 
sary circuit of several miles, and not reaching me until after 
dark. 

The movements of the enemy referred to by Stuart 
need to be explained. On the morning of the 4th Gen- 
eral Kilpatrick was ordered from Gettysburg to attack 
the trains which were moving on the road between Fair- 
field and Waynesboro'. He reached Emmittsburg at 
three o'clock in the afternoon, and joining Iluey's bri- 
gade of Gregg's division to his own command, he moved 
on to the Monterey Gap. As has already been indicated 
in Stuart's report, two roads leading westward from 
Fairfield cross the mountains, the one on the north and 
the other on the south of Jack Mountain. The south- 
ern road intersects the road from Emmittsburg to 
Waynesboro' about six miles from Emmittsburg. Upon 
the northern road General Ewell's trains were passing. 
General Robertson lay in the vicinity of Fairfield with 
his own two regiments and three of Jones' brigade, with 
a picket at the intersection of the Emmittsburg road. 
When attacked by Kilpatrick this picket retired to- 
wards Fairfield, leaving no force on the road to Mon- 
terey Gap. Captain (afterwards Major) G. M. Emack, 
of the 1st Maryland Cavalry, had, however, been sta- 
tioned by some one on this road, and was able to delay 
the enemy's advance from dark until three o'clock in 
the morning. General Kilpatrick seems to have consid- 
ered that his command was in a perilous situation. He 
states that he brushed away a force of cavalry from his 



NARRATIVE OF MAJOR EMACK. 353 

front, — probably Robertson's picket, — but was after- 
wards attacked, both in front and rear, on a rugged 
.mountain-side, where the road was too narrow even to 
reverse a gun. He extricated himself from this danger- 
ous position by a mounted charge of Custer's brigade. 
He reached the road upon which Ewell's train was mov- 
ing, captured and destroyed a large number of wagons, 
and reached Smithfield early the next morning with 
1,360 prisoners and a large number of horses and 
mules. 

Major G. M. Emack, now residing near Versailles, 
Ky., has given me the following narrative of the events 
of this night : — 

On the evening of the 4th of July, 1863, as Lee's army was 
on the retreat from Gettysburg, I was ordered to place a picket 
on the Emmittsburg road near Monterey. Selecting Sergeant 
Sam Spencer and six men for the post, the rest of my com- 
pany, under Lieutenants Cook and Blackiston, were sent for- 
aging. The advance picket had been on duty but a short time, 
when I was notified of the advance of a large body of Federal 
cavalry and artillery from the direction of Emmittsburg. I im- 
mediately returned to Ewell's wagon train, which was coming 
into the road in my rear, and going down the road half a mile, 
stopped the wagons from coming further, and started those in 
advance at a trot, so that, should the enemy break through 
my picket, they would find no wagons in the road. In doing 
this I came across a lieutenant of a North Carolina battery, 
who had but one gun and only two rounds of ammunition. 
With this he galloped up the road to my picket ; and, placing 
him in position, I directed him to put both charges in his gun 
and await orders. Sergeant Spencer was placed in rear with 
five men, while I advanced down the road, accompanied by 
Private Edward Thomas, until I met the head of the enemy's 
column. It was then dusk and raining ; and as we wore our 
gum coats the Federal cavalry failed to recognize us. With- 
out making any demonstration we turned and retreated before 
them at a walk, shielding the gun as much as possible as we 
23 



354 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

neared it. As soon as we passed the gun the lieutenant fired 
into the head of the column. Taking- advantage of the halt 
and confusion which followed this fire, I charged with my little 
party, in all only eight mounted men, and succeeded in driv- 
ing them back for more than a mile, until they reached their 
artillery. From the shouting and firing among the retreating 
enemy we concluded that they had become panic-stricken and 
were fighting among themselves. 

The firing brought up Lieutenant Blackiston with the rest 
of my company ; and dismounting the men, we formed line in 
some undergrowth on one side of the road. After fully an hour 
we heard the enemy advancing,, this time with more caution 
and with dismounted skirmishers thrown out on each side of 
the road. Lying on the ground, we reserved our fire until they 
were within ten or fifteen paces of us, when we gave them a 
volley which caused another precipitate retreat. I now with- 
drew my men to another position, and formed them dismounted 
on either side of the road. Sergeant Spencer had charge of 
one squad and Sergeant Wilson of the other. Lieutenant 
Blackiston had charge of the horses and prisoners in the rear. 
Kilpatrick now commanded a general advance with mounted 
and dismounted men and with artillery, firing at every step, 
which to us was rather amusing, as we were about a mile dis- 
tant and lying snugly on the ground. About midnight he 
reached Monterey, and opened a tremendous fire on us with 
artillery and dismounted men, to which we made but little 
answer. 

In the mean time the wagons had commenced to run in on 
the road in my rear, and I again went back on the Gettysburg 
road and stopped them. They were soon started again, and 
on going back to ascertain the cause I was informed that they 
were moving by General W. E. Jones' orders. I found Gen- 
eral Jones and told him that I had only a handful of men 
opposed to all of Kilpatrick's cavalry ; and I m-ged the impor- 
tance of keeping the road clear, so that when the enemy broke 
through he would find nothing on it. The general said that 
the train must move on, and if I could hold out a little longer 
the 6th Vh'ginia Cavalry would come to my assistance. I re- 
turned to my men and urged them not to yield an inch nor to 



REPORT OF GENERAL JONES. 355 

waste any ammunition (we had but little at the commence- 
ment). The enemy now increased their fire until it seemed as 
if nothing could stand before it. Still these men lay there 
under it coolly, awaiting an opportunity to strike another blow. 
The enemy's skirmishers at last walked into my line, and I 
was told that one of them actually trod on private Key who 
killed him on the spot. The enemy was again driven back. 
My ammunition was entirely exhausted and some of my men 
actually fought with rocks ; nor did they give back an inch. 

The 4th North Carolina Cavalry now made its appearance 
at the junction of the two roads in my rear, and after General 
Jones and his staff had exhausted every means to get them to 
my assistance, I finally succeeded in getting a lieutenant and 
about ten men to dismount and advance to my line. The 6th 
Virginia Cavalry, that I knew so well to be good fighters, 
never made its appearance during the night. At about three 
o'clock A. M. ? finding that he had no force of consequence 
opposed to him, Kilpatrick advanced his cavalry to within 
twenty yards of my position, and gave the order to charge. A 
running fight now ensued amid wagons and ambulances. As 
we passed out of the mountain we met Captain Welsh's com- 
pany of the 1st Maryland Cavalry at the junction of another 
road. Here the enemy was held in check for a moment, but 
they soon swept us aside, and on they went until they had cap- 
tured all the wagons found in the road. The two portions of 
the train that I had cut off were not reached by the enemy ; 
and I do not believe that we would have lost any of the train 
had it not been started on the road after I had stopped it. 

In this fight about half the men I had engaged were cap- 
tured, and I myself was wounded. According to the official re- 
port of General Kilpatrick, his loss was five killed, 10 wounded, 
and 28 prisoners, in all 43 men, or more than I had in the fight 
including horse-holders. 

General W. E. Jones says in his report : — 

The evening of July 4th, when it was reported the enemy 
were advancing in force on the Emmittsburg and Waynes- 
boro' road, I saw that General Ewell's train (then on its way 
to Williamsport) was in danger, and asked to go with my 
command to its protection. I was allowed the 6th and 7th 



356 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

regiments and Chew's battery ; but the 7th w;is afterwards 
ordered back, and Colonel Ferebee's regiment (4th North Car- 
olina Cavalry) allowed to take its place, the latter being then 
on this road. This narrow and difficult way, rendered doubly 
so by heavy rain just fallen, was so blocked by wagons as to 
render it wholly impracticable to push ahead the artillery or 
even the cavalry. With my staff I hastened on to rally all 
the stragglers of the train to the support of whatever force 
might be guarding the road. Arriving, I found Captain G. M. 
Emack's company of the Maryland Cavalry, with one gun, 
opposed to a whole division of Federal cavalry, with a full 
battery. He had already been driven back within a few hun- 
dred yards of the junction of the roads. Not half of the long 
train had passed. This brave little band of heroes was en- 
couraged with the hope of speedy reinforcements, reminded 
of the importance of their trust, and exhorted to fight to the 
bitter end rather than yield. All my couriers and all others 
with fire-arms were ordered to the front, directed to lie on the 
ground and be sparing of their ammunition. The last charge 
of grape was expended and the piece sent to the rear. For 
more than two hours less than fifty men kept many thou- 
sands in check, and the wagons continued to pass long after 
the balls were whistling in their midst. 

After Stnart had forced the passage of the moun- 
tains on the afternoon of the 5th, Kilpatrick retired 
to Boonsboro', where his prisoners were turned over 
to General French. On the next day, the 6th of July, 
Buford's division arrived at Boonsboro', and it was 
arranged between Bnford and Kilpatrick that the for- 
mer should attack the trains which were assembled at 
Williamsport, while the latter moved against Stuart at 
Hagerstown. General Stuart says in his report : — 

Having heard from the commanding general about daylight 
the next morning, and being satisfied that all of Kilpatrick's 
force had gone towards Boonsboro', I immediately, notwith- 
standing the march of a greater portion of both the pi'eced- 
ing nights, set out for Boonsboro'. Jones' brigade had now 
arrived by the route from Fairfield. Soon after night Briga- 



AT HAGERSTOWN. 357 

dier-General Jones, whose capture had been reported by Cap- 
tain Emack, came from the direction of Williamsport, whither 
he had gone with the portion of the train which escaped. The 
enemy's movements had separated him from his command, 
and he had made a very narrow escape. He informed me of 
Imbodeivs arrival at Williamsport. 

Having reached Cavetown, I directed General Jones to pro- 
ceed on the Boonsboro' road a few miles, and thence proceed 
to Funkstown, which point I desired him to hold, covering 
the eastern front of Hagerstown. Chambliss' brigade pro- 
ceeded direct from Leitersburg to Hagerstown, and Robert- 
son's took the same route, both together a very small com- 
mand. Diverging from Jones' line of march at Cavetown, I 
proceeded with Jenkins' brigade by way of Chewsville towards 
Hagerstown. Upon arriving at the former place, it was ascer- 
tained that the enemy was nearing Hagerstown with a large 
force of cavalry from the direction of Boonsboro', and Colo- 
nel Chambliss needed reinforcements. Jenkins' brigade was 
pushed forward, and arriving before Hagerstown found the 
enemy in possession, and made an attack in flank by this road, 
Jones coming up further to the left and opening with a few 
shots of artillery. A small body of infantry, under Brigadier- 
General Iverson, also held the north edge of the town, aided 
by the cavalry of Robertson and Chambliss. Our operations 
here were much embarrassed by our great difficulty in prevent- 
ing this latter force from mistaking us for the enemy, several 
shots striking very near our column. I felt sure that the ene- 
my's designs were directed against Williamsport, where, I was 
informed by General Jones, our wagons were congregated in a 
narrow space at the foot of the hill near the river, which was 
too much swollen to admit their passage to the south bank. I 
therefore urged on all sides the most vigorous attack to save 
our trains at Williamsport. Our force was perceptibly much 
smaller than the enemy's, but by a bold front and determined 
attack, with a reliance on that help which has never failed me. 
I hoped to raise the siege of Williamsport, if, as I believed, that 
was the real object of the enemy's designs. Hagerstown is 
six miles from Williamsport, the country between being almost 
entirely cleared, but intersected by innumerable fences and 



358 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

ditches. The two places are connected by a lane, — a perfectly 
straight macadamized road. The enemy's skirmishers fought 
dismounted from street to street, and some time elapsed before 
the town was entirely clear, the enemy taking the road first 
toward Sharpsburg, but afterwards turning to the Williamsport 
road. Just as the town was cleared I heard the sound of artil- 
lery at Williamsport. 

The cavalry, except the two brigades with General Fitz Lee, 
was now pretty well concentrated at Hagerstown, and one 
column, under Colonel Chambliss, was pushed directly down 
the road after the enemy, while Robertson's two regiments and 
Jenkins' brigade kept to the left of the road, moving in a par- 
allel direction to Chambliss. A portion of the Stuart Horse 
Artillery also accompanied the movement. The first charge 
was gallantly executed by the leading brigade, the 9th and 
13th Virginia Cavalry participating with marked gallantry. 
The column on the flank was now hurried up to attack the 
enemy, but the obstacles, such as post-and-rail fences, delayed 
its progress so long that the enemy had time to rally along 
a crest of rocks and fences, from which he opened with artil- 
lery, raking the road. Jenkins' brigade was ordered to dis- 
mount and deploy over the difficult ground. This was done 
with marked effect and boldness, Lieutenant-Colonel Witcher, 
as usual, distinguishing himself by his courage and conduct. 
The enemy, thus dislodged, was closely pressed by the mounted 
cavalry, but made one effort at counter -charge, which was 
gallantly met and repulsed by Colonel James B. Gordon, com- 
manding a fragment of the 5th North Carolina Cavalry, that 
officer exhibiting under my eye individual prowess deserving 
special commendation. The repulse was soon after converted 
into a rout by Colonel Lomax's regiment, the 11th Virginia 
Cavalry of Jones' brigade, which now took the road under the 
gallant leadership of its colonel, and with drawn sabres charged 
down the turnpike under a fearful fire of artillery. 

Lieutenant-Colonel O. R. Funsten behaved with conspicu- 
ous gallantry in this charge, and Captain S. Winthrop, a vol- 
unteer aid of Lieutenant-General Longstreet, also bore him- 
self most gallantly. 

The enemy was now very near Williamsport, and this deter- 



SIEGE OF WILLIAMSPORT RAISED. 359 

mined and vigorous attack in his rear soon compelled him to 
raise the siege of that place and leave by the Downsville road. 
His withdrawal was favored by night, which set in just as we 
reached the ridge overlooking Williamsport. Important as- 
sistance was rendered by Brigadier-General Fitz Lee, who 
reached the vicinity of Williamsport by the Greencastle road 
very opportunely, and participated in the attack with his 
accustomed spirit. 

General Kilpatrick describes this same affair in his 
report. He states that Stuart, at Hagerstown, was 
expecting him from the direction of Gettysburg ; but 
that he attacked Stuart from the direction of Boons- 
boro,' surprised him, routed him, and drove him in 
the direction of Greencastle and Gettysburg. Stuart, 
however, was not in Hagerstown at that time. The 
force which Kilpatrick attacked was Chambliss' and 
Robertson's brigades, which together hardly made one 
good regiment. Colonel J. Lucius Davis, of the 10th 
Virginia Cavalry, was captured in this fight. His horse 
was killed, and falling on him confined him to the 
ground until he was released by the enemy. Kilpat- 
rick pressed Chambliss and Robertson back through 
the town until he encountered Iverson's brigade, 
which was marching with the trains for their pro- 
tection. General Iverson says in his report : — 

Reached Hagerstown next day, where I found the enemy 
engaged with our cavalry. Sent the train back to the rear, 
deployed skirmishers, fixed an ambuscade, and I believe killed, 
wounded, and captured as many of the enemy as I had men. 

General Kilpatrick further states that, learning from 
prisoners belonging to Hood's division that their whole 
division was close at hand, he left one brigade, under 
Colonel Richmond, to hold the enemy in check at Ha- 
gerstown, while he, with the other two brigades, hur- 
ried on toward Williamsport in the hope that his 



360 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

command, united with that of General Buford, would 
be able to effect the capture and destruction of the 
Confederate trains before relief could reach them. He 
pushed Custer's brigade forward, and soon became hotly 
engaged on Buford's right, within less than a mile of 
Williamsport. When about to advance all of Custer's 
regiments, with prospect of success, he was informed 
by Colonel Richmond that the enemy had attacked him 
with infantry, cavalry, and artillery. At the same time 
he was made aware that a column of infantry was 
moving on his own right flank. " A few moments later 
General Buford sent a staff officer to say that he was 
about to retire ; that he feared the enemy would move 
down on the Sharpsburg pike and intercept our retreat. 
My command was in a most perilous position ; attacked 
in front, rear, and flank, and no prospect of a safe 
retreat till night. Slowly the regiments of each bri- 
gade fell back, taking up one position after another, 
repulsing each attack until night set in, and we formed 
a junction with General Buford, both commands going 
into camp near Jones' Crossing." 

General Buford says in his report : — 

While our hottest contest was in progress General Kilpat- 
rick's guns were heard in the direction of Hagerstown, and as 
they grew nearer I sent word to him to connect with my right 
for mutual support. The connection was made, but was of 
no consequence to either of us. Just before dark Kilpatrick's 
troops gave way, passing to my rear by the right, and were 
closely followed by the enemy. 

It now being dark, outnumbered, and the 1st and reserve 
brigade being out of ammunition, Devin was ordered to relieve 
Gamble and a portion of Merritt's troops. This being done 
I ordered the command to fall back, Devin to hold his ground 
until the entire road to the Antietam was clear. Devin hand- 
somely carried out his instructions, and the division bivouacked 
on the road to Boonsboro'. 



AT FUNKSTOWN. 361 

The expedition had for its object the destruction of the ene- 
my's trains, supposed to be at Williamsport. This, I regret to 
say, was not accomplished. The enemy was too strong for me, 
but he was severely punished for his obstinacy. His casualties 
were more than quadruple to mine. 

General Kilpatrick reports an aggregate loss of 185 
in this engagement. Colonel Huey reports that his 
brigade lost one officer and 144 men between Emmitts- 
burg and Williamsport. The greater portion of this 
loss of course occurred in the last battle. General 
Buford reports an aggregate loss of 72. The Fed- 
eral cavalry, therefore, lost in this engagement nearly, 
if not quite, 400 officers and men. Stuart reports an 
aggregate loss of 254, exclusive of Jenkins' brigade, 
from which no report was received. These losses show 
the severity of the fighting. A comparison of the 
reports of Stuart, Kilpatrick, and Buford will show 
the result. 

On the 7th of July Wofford's brigade of infantry was 
sent to Stuart's support, and was stationed by him at 
Downsville, on the road to Sharpsburg. The cavalry 
covered the rest of the front of the army. On this 
day the 7th Virginia Cavalry had another encounter 
with the 6th United States Regulars, which was more 
creditable to the 7th regiment than the affair at Fair- 
field on the 3d. Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas Marshall 
makes the following report of this fight : — 

The enemy were reported advancing on Funkstown. I 
moved down immediately to support the advance picket, which 
had been driven in. After examining their position, which was 
very much obscured by woods and the crest of an intervening 
hill, I ordered companies F and G to advance upon them, and 
moved forward at a rapid trot. Their advance gave way after 
firing upon us, and fell back toward their reserve. I then or- 
dered up our reserve at a charge, and moving F and G, or por- 
tions of them, on the right flank to clear the woods, while 



362 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

Lieutenant Neff, with a small scouting party, was moving on 
the left, we drove the enemy before us, though they strove at 
first to make resistance. Our column pressed upon them with 
great rapidity, killing and wounding a number, and taking 
some sixty prisoners, capturing also a great many horses and a 
large number of rifles and revolvers. As I was mounted upon 
a recently-captured horse, about whose qualities I knew noth- 
ing, I did not endeavor to remain at the head of the column, 
but closed it up, sending back men when I found too many 
with the prisoners and urging forward those who were in 
rear. 

Fearing (as eventually occurred) that in their eagerness our 
men would press the pursuit too far from our support, I sent 
two orders to the front to restrain them, but in vain. Coming 
up at length somewhere near the head of the column, I discov- 
ered that the enemy had rallied. I sent back immediately a 
reliable messenger to General Jones to make him aware of our 
position, and ordered all the men on jaded horses to go some 
distance to the rear, and form in a strong position to protect 
the portion of the column nearest the enemy. With a few 
better mounted men I awaited the development of the enemy's 
force and intentions. As the head of the column appeared we 
fired upon it. The enemy then charged vigorously upon us. 
Seeing our only hope was in a quick retreat, we double-quicked 
it as well as the condition of our horses would allow. I en- 
deavored to rally the men when we came near the portion of 
the regiment which had been drawn up in a strong position, 
but to no purpose. One volley from this reserve brought down 
the leader of the enemy's column and several on the flank, but 
scarcely at all checked it. 

In this return trip, in which we lost a portion of our laurels, 
we sustained the following loss in wounded and captured: total 
captured by the enemy, nine ; wounded, two ; horses captured 
by the enemy, nine ; killed, one ; wounded, four. 

Privates Joseph S. Hutton and William L. Parsons, of com- 
pany F, are spoken of by their captain as having made them- 
selves particularly conspicuous for their gallantry. 

Lieutenant Nicholas Nolan, commanding the 6th 
Regular Cavalry, makes report of this fight. He 
says : — 



COVERS FRONT OF LEE'S ARMY. 363 

On the 7th instant the regiment was ordered to make a re- 
connoissance in the direction of Funkstown, under command 
of Captain Claflin. On arriving in the vicinity of the town 
we drove in the enemy's pickets, and immediately afterwards 
made dispositions of the regiment to resist the enemy, who 
was in force. The captain commanding proceeded to the front 
to reconnoitre, and when about 150 yards in front of the regi- 
ment (and with the advance-guard) was wounded in the shoul- 
der by one of the enemy's sharpshooters. I, being the senior 
officer with the regiment, again assumed command. I imme- 
diately proceeded to the front, where my advance-guard was 
posted, when I saw the enemy's cavalry preparing to charge 
my command. I then made preparations to meet them, but 
being overpowered by superior numbers was forced to fall back, 
inflicting, however, great damage to the enemy in a running 
fight of four and a half miles, my command losing fifty-nine 
men, in killed, wounded, and missing ; ten of the above men 
were brought in dead by the 1st United States Cavalry the 
same afternoon. 

Such agreement in the official reports, and such can- 
dor, are not always to be found. The history of the 
war could be written more easily and more accurately 
if we had a larger number of reports from regimental 
commanders. 

From the 8th to the 12th of July Stuart covered the 
front of Lee's army, which had now taken a strong 
position, and was securely entrenched while waiting for 
the waters of the Potomac to fall. These days were 
occupied by severe fighting between Stuart's command 
and the divisions of Buford and Kilpatrick, at Boons- 
boro', Beaver Creek, Funkstown, and on the Sharps- 
burg front. The cavalry fought mostly dismounted, 
and was aided on either side by small bodies of infantry. 
It would be tedious to enter into all the details of these 
battles, in which both parties claim the victory, and 
with apparent sincerity. Stuart reports an aggregate 
loss of 216 in these engagements, while Generals Bu- 



364 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

ford and Kilpatrick and Colonel Huey report a loss of 
158. Stuart accomplished the object he had in view, 
which was to delay the advance of the enemy until 
General Lee was secure in his chosen position. On the 
12th of July Stuart uncovered Lee's front, against 
which the Federal army advanced, but found it so strong 
that it declined to make an attack. 

These days will be remembered by the members of 
General Stuart's staff as days of peculiar hardship. 
Scanty rations had been issued to the men, but nothing 
was provided for the officers. The country had been 
swept bare of provisions, and we could purchase nothing. 
For four or five days in succession we received our only 
food, after nightfall, at the hands of a young lady in 
Hagerstown, whose father, a Southerner, sympathized 
with the Confederacy. But for the charity of this 
lady, whose name we shall always gratefully remember, 
wo would have suffered the pangs of severe hunger. 
The attention of students of psychology is called to an 
incident which occurred at this time. After a day of 
incessant fio-htino; Stuart and his officers reached the 
house of this friend about nine o'clock in the night. 
While food was being prepared Stuart fell asleep on the 
sofa in the parlor. When supper was announced he 
refused to rise. Knowing that he had eaten nothing 
within twenty-four hours, and that food was even more 
necessary for him than sleep, I took him by the arm 
and compelled him to his place at the table. His eyes 
were open, but he ate sparingly and without relish. 
Thinking that the supper did not suit him, our kind 
hostess inquired : — 

" General, perhaps you would relish a hard-boiled 
egg? 

" Yes," he replied, " I '11 take four or Jive.'" 

This singular reply caused a good deal of astonish- 



INCIDENTS. 365 

ment on the part of all who heard it, but nothing was 
said at the time. The eggs were produced ; Stuart 
broke one and ate it, and then rose from the table. 
When we returned to the parlor I sat down at the 
piano, and commenced singing, " If you want to have 
a good time, jine the cavalry." The circumstances 
hardly made the song appropriate, but the chorus 
roused the general, and he joined in it with a hearty 
U'ood will. During; all this time he had been uncon- 
scions of his surroundings, and when informed of the 
apparent discourtesy of his reply to our hostess, he 
apologized with evident mortification. Another in- 
cident, of a similar nature, occurred about this same 
time. It was probably on the night of the 11th or 12th 
of July that Stuart and myself were riding along one 
of the turnpikes, near Hagerstown, attended by only 
one courier. As we rode he dictated despatches which 
I was to write to two of his brigades and to the horse 
artillery, directing certain movements which were to be 
executed that night and the following morning. In 
order that I might have a light we dismounted at a 
toll-house, and asked to be provided with a lamp. The 
request was reluctantly granted. While I was writing, 
Stuart leaned forward his head and arms on the table, 
and fell fast asleep. When the despatches were com- 
pleted I awoke him, that he might read them before 
they were sent. This was an almost invariable custom. 
The despatches to the brigades were read without cor- 
rection being made, but when he revised that to the 
artillery he took out his pencil, erased the names of 
two places, and substituted the names Shepherdstown 
and Aldie. This was manifestly absurd, and I saw at 
once that he was unconscious of what he was doing. 
I aroused him with some difficulty, when my despatch 
was rewritten, approved, and sent off. These incidents 



306 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

seem to bear on the disputed question, whether the 
mind can act and yet be unconscious of its action. 

General Stuart's report shall conclude the history of 
this campaign. 

On the 12th firing began early, and the enemy having ad- 
vanced by several roads on Hagerstown, our cavalry forces re- 
tired without serious resistance, and massed on the left of the 
main body, reaching with heavy outposts the Conococheague 
on the National Road. The infantry having already had time 
to intrench themselves, it was no longer desirable to defer the 
enemy's attack. 

The 13th was spent in reconnoitring on the left, Rodes' di- 
vision occupying the extreme left of our infantry, very near 
Hagerstown, a little north of the National Road. Cavalry pick- 
ets were extended beyond the railroad leading to Chambers- 
burg, and everything was put in readiness to resist the enemy's 
attack. The situation of our communications south of the Po- 
tomac caused the commanding general to desire more cavalry 
on that side, and accordingly Brigadier-General Jones' brigade 
(one of whose regiments, the 12th Virginia Cavalry, had been 
left in Jefferson) was detached, and sent to cover our commu- 
nication with Winchester. The cavalry on the left now con- 
sisted of Fitz Lee's, W. H. F. Lee's, Baker's (Hampton's), 
and Robertson's brigades, the latter being a mere handful. 

On the 13th skirmishing continued at intervals, but it ap- 
peared that the enemy, instead of attacking, were intrench- 
ing in our front, and the commanding general determined to 
cross the Potomac. The night of the 13th was chosen for 
this move, and the arduous and difficult task of bringing up 
the rear was, as usual, assigned to the cavalry. Just before 
night (which was unusually rainy) the cavalry was disposed 
from right to left to occupy dismounted the trenches of the 
infantry at dark, Fitz Lee's brigade holding the line of Long- 
street's corps, Baker's, of Hill's corps, and the remainder, of 
Ewell's corps. A pontoon bridge had been constructed at 
Falling Waters, some miles below Williamsport, where Long- 
street's and Hill's corps were to cross, and Ewell's corps was 
to ford the river at Williamsport ; in rear of which last, after 



AT FALLING WATERS. 367 

daylight, the cavalry was also to cross, except that Fitz Lee's 
brigade, should he find the pontoon bridge clear in time, was 
to cross at the bridge, otherwise to cross at the ford at Wil- 
liamsport. 

The operation was successfully performed by the cavalry. 
General Fitz Lee, finding the bridge would not be clear in 
time for his command, moved after daylight to the ford, send- 
ing two squadrons to cross in rear of the infantry at the 
bridge. These squadrons, mistaking Longstreet's rear for the 
rear of the army on that route, crossed over in rear of it. 
General Hill's troops being notified that these squadrons would 
follow in his rear, were deceived by some of the enemy's cav- 
alry, who approached very near in consequence of their belief 
that they were our cavalry. Although this unfortunate mis- 
take deprived us of the lamented General Pettigrew, who 
was mortally wounded, the enemy paid the penalty of their 
temerity by losing most of their number in killed or wounded, 
if the accounts of those who witnessed it are to be credited. 
The cavalry crossed at the fords without serious molestation, 
bringing up the rear on that route by eight A. M. on the 14th. 

The attack upon Pettigrew's brigade to which Stuart 
refers was made by General Kilpatrick at first, aided 
afterwards by General Buford. Kilpatrick claims to 
have captured 1,500 prisoners, two guns, and three 
battle flags. He says that he fought for two hours and 
thirty minutes, routed the enemy, and drove him to- 
wards the river. He lost in his own command 29 killed, 
36 wounded, and 40 missing. General Buford states 
that he aided in this fight, and that " our spoils on this 
occasion were one ten-pounder Parrott gun, over 500 
prisoners, and about 300 muskets." On the other hand, 
General Robert E. Lee states that two guns, which 
were abandoned because the horses could not draw 
them through the mire, fell into the enemy's hands; 
but that " No arms, cannon, or prisoners were taken by 
the enemy in battle." . . . Generals Meade and Kilpat- 
rick, in reply to General Lee's statement, reaffirm the 
reports as quoted above. 



368 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

General Stuart's report continues : — 

To Baker's (Hampton's) brigade was assigned the duty of 
picketing the Potomac from Falling Waters to Hedgesville. 
The other brigades were moved back towards Leetown, Rob- 
ertson being sent to the fords of the Shenandoah, where he 
already had a picket, which, under Captain L. A. Johnson, of 
the North Carolina Cavalry, had handsomely repulsed the 
enemy in their advance on Ashby's Gap, inflicting severe loss 
with great disparity of numbers. 

Harper's Ferry was again in the possession of the enemy, 
and Colonel Harman, of the 12th Virginia Cavalry, had in an 
engagement with the enemy gained a decided success, but was 
himself captured by his horse falling. 

Upon my arrival at the Bower that afternoon (15th), I 
learned that a large force of the enemy's cavalry was between 
Shepherdstown and Leetown, and determined at once to at- 
tack them, in order to defeat any designs they might have in 
the direction of Martinsburg. 

I made disposition accordingly, concentrating cavalry in their 
front, and early on the 16th moved Fitz Lee's brigade down 
the turnpike towards Shepherdstown, supported by Chambliss, 
who, though quite ill, with that commendable spirit which has 
always distinguished him, remained at the head of his brigade. 
Jenkins' brigade was ordered to advance on the road from 
Martinsburg towards Shepherdstown, so as by this combina- 
tion to expose one of the enemy's flanks, while Jones, now 
near Charlestown, was notified of the attack in order that he 
might cooperate. No positive orders were sent him, as his 
precise locality was not known. 

These dispositions having been arranged, I was about to 
attack when I received a very urgent message from the com- 
manding general to repair at once to his headquarters. I 
therefore committed to Brigadier-General Fitz Lee the con- 
summation of my plans, and reported at once to the command- 
ing general, whom I found at Bunker Hill. Returning in the 
afternoon, I proceeded to the scene of conflict on the turnpike, 
and found that General Fitz Lee had, with his own and Cham- 
bliss' brigades, driven the enemy steadily to within a mile of 
Shepherdstown, Jenkins' brigade not having yet appeared on 



DEATH OF COLONEL DRAKE. 369 

the left. It, however, soon after arrived in Fitz Lee's rear, 
and moved up to his support. The ground was not practicable 
for cavalry, and the main body was dismounted and advanced 
in line of battle. The enemy retired to a strong position 
behind stone fences and barricades near Colonel A. R. Bote- 
ler's residence, and it being nearly dark, obstinately main- 
tained their ground at this last point until dark, to cover their 
withdrawal. 

Preparations were made to renew the attack vigorously next 
morning, but daybreak revealed that the enemy had retired 
towards Harper's Ferry. 

The enemy's loss in killed and wounded was heavy. We 
had several killed and wounded, and among the latter Colonel 
James H. Drake, 1st Virginia Cavalry, was mortally wounded, 
dying that night (16th), depriving his regiment of a brave 
and zealous leader, and his country of one of her most patri- 
otic defenders. 

The commanding general was very desirous of my moving 
at once into Loudon a large portion of my command, but the 
recent rains had so swollen the Shenandoah that it was impos- 
sible to ford it, and cavalry scouting parties had to swim their 
horses over. 

In the interval of time from July 16th to the 22d the ene- 
my made a demonstration on Hedgesville, forcing back Baker's 
brigade. Desultory skirmishing was kept up on that front for 
several days, while our infantry was engaged in tearing up the 
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad near Mavtinsburg. . . . 

It soon became apparent that the enemy were moving upon 
our right flank, availing themselves of the swollen condition of 
the Shenandoah to interpose their army, by a march along the 
east side of the Blue Ridge, between our present position and 
Richmond. Longstreet's corps having already moved to coun- 
teract this effort, enough cavalry was sent under Brigadier-Gen- 
eral Robertson for his advance-guard through Front Royal and 
Chester Gap, while Baker's brigade was ordered to bring up 
the rear of Ewell's corps, which was in rear ; and Jones' bri- 
gade was ordered to picket the lower Shenandoah as long as 
necessary for the safety of that flank, and then follow the 
movement of the army. Fitz Lee's, W. H. F. Lee's, and Jen- 
24 



370 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

kins' brigades, by a forced march from the vicinity of Lee- 
town through Millwood, endeavored to reach Manassas Gap, 
so as to hold it on the flank of the army ; but it was already 
in the possession of the enemy, and the Shenandoah, still high, 
in order to be crossed without interfering with the march of 
the main army, had to be forded below Front Royal. 

The cavalry already mentioned reached Chester Gap early 
on the 23d by a by-path, passing on the army's left ; and with 
great difficulty and a forced march, bivouacked that night 
below Gaines' Cross Roads, holding the Rockford road and 
Warrenton turnpike, on which, near Amissville, the enemy 
had accumulated a large force of cavalry. 

On the 24th, while moving forward to find the locality of 
the enemy, firing was heard towards Newling's Cross Roads, 
which was afterwards ascertained to be a portion of the ene- 
my's artillery firing on Hill's column, marching on the Rich- 
mond road. Before the cavalry could reach the scene of action 
the enemy had been driven off by the infantry, and on the 
25th the march was continued and the line of the Rappahan- 
nock resumed. 



CHAPTER XVHI. 

THE BEISTOE CAMPAIGN. 

After the return from Gettysburg the cavalry occu- 
pied the line of the Rappahannock until the middle of 
September, while the main army withdrew behind the 
Rapidan. This was a period of rest and reorganiza- 
tion. Hampton and Fitz Lee were promoted as major- 
generals ; and Colonels L. S. Baker, M. C. Butler, 
L. L. Lomax, and W. C. Wickham, were promoted as 
brigadier-generals. By Special Orders No. 226, from 
the headquarters of the Army of Northern Virginia, 
dated 9th of September, 1863, the cavalry divisions 
were arranged as follows : — 

Hampton's Division. 
Jones' Brigade. — Brigadier-General W. E. Jones. 
6th Virginia Cavalry, Lieutenant-Colonel J. S. Green. 
7th Virginia Cavalry, Colonel R. H. Dulaney. 
12th Virginia Cavalry, Colonel A. W. Harman. 
35th Battalion Virginia Cavalry, Lieutenant-Colonel E. V. 
White. 

Baker's Brigade. — Brigadier-General L. S. Baker. 

1st North Carolina Cavalry, Lieutenant-Colonel J. B. Gordon. 
2d North Carolina Cavalry, Lieutenant-Colonel Robinson. 
4th North Carolina Cavalry, Colonel D. D. Ferebee. 
5th North Carolina Cavalry, Evans. 

Butler's Brigade. — Brigadier-General M. C. Butler. 

Cobb Georgia Legion, Colonel P. M. B. Young. 

Phillips Georgia Legion, Lieutenant-Colonel W. W. Rich. 



372 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

Jeff Davis Legion, Lieutenant-Colonel J. F. Waring. 
2d South Carolina Cavalry, Colonel T. J. Lipscomb. 

Fitz Lee's Division. 
JLee's Brigade. — Brigadier-General W. H. F. Lee. 
1st South Carolina Cavalry, Colonel J. L. Black. 
9th Virginia Cavalry, Colonel R. L. T. Beale. 
10th Virginia Cavalry, Colonel J. Lucius Davis. 
13th Virginia Cavalry, Colonel J. R. Chambliss. 

Lomax's Brigade. — Brigadier-General L. L. Lomax. 
5th Virginia Cavalry, Colonel T. L. Rosser. 
1st Battalion Maryland Cavalry, Lieutenant-Colonel Ridgley 
Brown. 
11th Virginia Cavalry, Colonel O. R. Fnnsten. 
15th Virginia Cavalry, Colonel W. W. Ball. 

Wickham's Brigade. — Brigadier-General Wms. C. Wickham. 

1st Virginia Cavalry, Colonel R. W. Carter. 

2d Virginia Cavalry, Colonel T. T. Munford. 

3d Virginia Cavalry, Colonel Thomas H. Owen. 

4th Virginia Cavalry, Lieutenant-Colonel W. H. Payne. 

This period of rest was broken on the 13th of Sep- 
tember by the advance of the Federal army to occupy 
Culpeper County. Early on the morning of this day 
the Federal cavalry crossed at Kelly's and the other 
fords of the upper Rappahannock. General Stuart had 
received notice of this movement during the previous 
night, and was prepared for it. Dr. Hudgin, once a 
member of the 9th Virginia Cavalry, and afterwards 
employed on the surgeon's staff at cavalry headquar- 
ters, had been residing for some days at his home in 
Jeffersonton. His wife had recently died from fright 
caused by the conduct of some of Kilpatrick's men. Dr. 
Hudgin had good opportunity for observing the ene- 
my's movements ; and perceiving indications of an early 



CULPEPER COURT HOUSE. 373 

advance, he crossed the river at an obscure ford on 
the night of the 12th, made his way with considerable 
difficulty to General Stuart's headquarters at Culpeper 
Court House, and laid his information before him. The 
warning proved most timely.* The wagons and disa- 
bled horses were immediately started toward Rapidan 
Station, and thus escaped from the enemy, who at- 
tacked, as Dr. Hudgin had predicted, at daylight on 
the 13th. Neither Stuart nor any of his subordinates 
made report of the operations of this day, and the 
forces engaged cannot be stated with certainty. J Jones' 
brigade, however, under Lomax, was occupied with the 
enemy from Brandy Station back to Culpeper Court 
House, where it was joined by W. H. F. Lee's brigade, 
under Colonel R. L. T. Beale, of the 9th Virginia Cav- 
alry. The enemy's cavalry was in large force, and 
pushed their advance with great spirit and rapidity. 
Until the battle had passed Culpeper Court House 
Stuart himself did not take the field, but left the con- 
duct of it to General Lomax. In retiring from the 
vicinity of the Court House three guns of Thompson's 
battery were captured by the enemy. Their support 
had withdrawn without notifying Thompson, who was 
so busily engaged in firing that he did not notice his 
exposed position until he was charged by a body of the 
enemy's cavalry. Seeing that it was impossible to 
bring off his guns, Thompson ordered his gunners to 
save themselves and their horses, and rode out alone 
to observe the enemy's charge. The officer command- 
ing the Federal company or squadron, secure of a rich 
prize and carried away by his ardor, was riding more 
than fifty yards in advance of his men. Thompson ad- 
vanced upon him, and both commenced firing with their 
pistols. Several shots were exchanged before one of 
Thompson's bullets took fatal effect, and the Federal 



374 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

officer fell dead from his horse, which, now riderless, 
continued to run toward Thompson, who caught the 
loose reins, and, turning his own horse, retreated in 
safety through the streets of the Court House, although 
closely pursued by the enemy. 

Throughout the remainder of the day Stuart con- 
tinued to retreat toward Rapidan Station, which he 
reached after nightfall. The enemy's advance reached 
the Rapidan River early the next morning, the 14th. 
There was but little activity on either side on this day. 
Just before night, Major Flournoy, of the 6th Virginia 
Cavalry, asked permission to cross the river and attack 
some squadrons of the enemy which were in sight on 
the other side. The permission was granted. Major 
Flournoy formed his regiment by squadrons on the 
north side of the river and advanced to the attack. 
The movement itself was of no consequence, and pro- 
duced no result except, perhaps, the capture of a few 
prisoners ; but Flournoy's charge was witnessed by a 
large number of spectators, both of the cavalry and of 
the infantry, and called forth many expressions of ad- 
miration at the skilful manner in which he handled his 
squadrons. After driving the enemy into the shelter 
of the adjacent woods, Flournoy reformed his regiment 
and returned at a walk. 

. On the 22d of September Buford's cavalry advanced 
from Madison Court House toward Liberty Mills. Stu- 
art met him on the road near Jack's Shop, attacked him 
in several mounted charges, but failed to make any 
impression on his lines. A subsequent effort with dis- 
mounted men was equally unsuccessful. While Stuart 
was thus engaged in a severe fight he received informa- 
tion that a large body of the enemy's cavalry had turned 
his left and had gained possession of the road in his 
rear, thus cutting him off from the ford at Liberty 



AT JACK'S SHOP. 375 

Mills. It was necessary to withdraw from Buford to 
meet this attack ; but the moment that the withdrawal 
commenced- Buford pressed on Stuart's lines with vigor. 
It seemed for a time that Stuart had at last been 
caught where he could not escape serious damage. 
Kilpatrick had already thrown a body of dismounted 
men across the road between Stuart and the ford, and 
he was thus enclosed in front and rear. Buford pressed 
so heavily that several mounted charges were necessary 
to hold him in check. The battle was soon brought 
within the compass of an open field, near the centre of 
which a little hill gave position for the Confederate ar- 
tillery. The scene was now extremely animated. Stu- 
art's artillery was firing in both directions from the 
hill, and within sight of each other his regiments were 
charging in opposite directions. If Kilpatrick could 
have maintained his position Stuart must at least have 
lost his guns; but two regiments were directed against 
him, and compelled him to relinquish his hold on the 
road and retire in the direction from which he had ad- 
vanced. One of these regiments charged, mounted, 
up to the fence behind which Kilpatrick's men were 
dismounted, threw down the fence in their faces, and 
cleared the road for Stuart's retreat. Having effected 
this, Stuart withdrew rapidly from the engagement 
with Buford, and retired across the Rapiclan at Liberty 
Mills, where he was soon reinforced by Wilcox's division 
of infantry. Stuart made no report of this action, and 
his losses cannot be stated. 1 

1 For several weeks before this fight Lieutenant- Colonel George St. 
Ledger Grenfell, an Englishman and a soldier of fortune, had been serving, 
by assignment, on General Stuart's staff. It seems that he had previously- 
held position in the western army, on the staff of General John H. Morgan, 
and is mentioned in that connection as having a reputation for gallantry. 
During his short stay with us his eccentricities were the source of much 
good-natured amusement. Stuart employed him somewhat as an inspector. 



376 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

On the 9th of October, 1863, General Lee com- 
menced that movement of his army around the right 
flank of the Federal army in Culpeper County which 
is known as the Bristoe campaign. It devolved upon 
Stuart to protect the line of march and conceal it from 
the enemy. Fitz Lee's division, supported by two bri- 
gades of infantry, was left at Raccoon Ford, while Stu- 
art proceeded with Hampton's division to occupy the 
right flank of the army. General Hampton was absent, 
being still disabled by the severe wounds he had re- 
ceived at Gettysburg. In this campaign Jones' brigade 
was commanded by Colonel 0. R. Funsten, and Butler's 
brigade was commanded by Colonel P. M. B. Young. 
Brigadier - General L. S. Baker had been severely 
wounded in one of the engagements in September, and 
being permanently disabled for the field, was assigned 
to the command of the second military district in the 
Department of North Carolina and South Virginia. 
Lieutenant- Colonel James B. Gordon had been pro- 
moted to brigadier -general, and now commanded the 
North Carolina brigade. 

On the ni^ht of the 9th of October Stuart bivouacked 
at Madison Court House. On the morning of the 10th 
the march of the army was directed toward Wooclville, 
on the Sperryville turnpike. Funsten's command was 
sent as an advance-guard in this direction, while Stu- 
art, with Gordon and Young, crossed the Robertson 

Grenfell became demoralized on this day. The fighting was closer and 
hotter than he liked. He was at my side when our regiments were attempt- 
ing to force Kilpatrick from the road. Seeing one of them recoil from a 
charge, Grenfell concluded that the day was lost. He took to the bushes, 
swam the river, returned to Orange Court House, and reported that Stuart, 
his staff, and his whole command were surrounded and captured. When 
he found out his mistake, his mortification was so great that he did not 
again show his face in our camp. His subsequent history, which is a re- 
markable one, is related by Captain T. P. McElrath, of the 5th United 
States Artillery, in the Philadelphia Weekly Times of May 3, 1879. 



AT JAMES CITY. 377 

River at Russell's Ford and pursued the direct road to 
James City. The enemy's picket at Russell's Ford was 
driven back to Bethsaida Church, where was stationed 
a reserve consisting of the 120th New York Infantry 
and a portion of Kilpatrick's cavalry. 

While engaging the attention of the enemy in front 
with Gordon's brigade, Stuart led Young's command 
through the woods to their right and rear, and routed 
the whole line by one charge of the 1st South Carolina 
Cavalry. The rough and wooded character of the 
ground favored the escape of those who were disposed 
to run, but Young's brigade alone captured eighty-seven 
prisoners. Pressing on toward James City, now two 
and a half miles distant, Stuart encountered the main 
body of the enemy, which consisted of Kilpatrick's 
cavalry supported by infantry and six pieces of artil- 
lery. This force was strongly posted north of the 
town, upon hills which commanded the approach from 
our side. Having thus far accomplished his object of 
screening the movements of the army, Stuart made no 
further attack, but held his position in observation of 
the enemy throughout the remainder of the day. The 
opposing forces occupied the crests of two nearly par- 
allel ranges of hills, between which, in an open valley, 
lies James City. The troops were hidden from view 
behind the swell of the hills, and an occasional shot 
from the opposing batteries was, for some time, the 
only sign of war. Once, during the afternoon, the en- 
emy attempted to charge with cavalry two guns which 
Stuart had advanced to the edge of the village, but the 
charge was met by the sharpshooters of the 1st South 
Carolina Cavalry, under Captain Jones, and was easily 
repulsed. 

During the night the enemy disappeared from Stu- 
art's front, and early on the morning of the 11th, leav- 



378 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

ing Young's brigade at James City, he pushed north- 
ward to the Sperryville turnpike, which he struck at 
Griffinsburg. Here he found Funsten's brigade, from 
which he sent one regiment, the 11th Virginia Cavalry, 
Lieutenant-Colonel Ball commanding, to Rixeyville, on 
the Warrenton road, and then, with Funsten and Gor- 
don, pressed down the Sperryville turnpike toward 
Culpeper Court House. The enemy's pickets were at 
a distance of perhaps three miles from the town, and 
were pursued so rapidly that Stuart found himself at 
one time riding with one company of the 12th Virginia, 
his advance-guard, in a line parallel with and opposite 
to a considerable body of infantry which was endeav- 
oring to join its friends. No other force being avail- 
able, Stuart ordered his advance-guard and couriers to 
charge. Lieutenant Baylor led his company most hand- 
somely, but encountering a wide ditch and a stone wall, 
was unable to reach the enemy, who delivered a harm- 
less fire in his very face, and then retreated to Cul- 
peper Court House. Before other troops could be 
brought forward this regiment effected its escape. On 
reaching the vicinity of Culpeper Court House, Stuart 
found that Meade's infantry had retired beyond the 
Rappahannock River, but that Kilpatrick's cavalry was 
massed and in position to receive him. At a short dis- 
tance from the Court House Captain Grigg's squadron 
of the Harris Light Cavalry was encountered, and after 
a most gallant resistance was driven by superior num- 
bers through and beyond the town, with the loss, ac- 
cording to General Kilpatrick, of their leader and one 
half the command. 1 Colonel Ferebee and Adjutant 
Morehead, of Gordon's brigade, were wounded in this 
action, and Lieutenants Baker and Benton were killed. 
At this time Stuart had with him only five regiments, 

1 Philadelphia Weekly Times, August 23, 1879. 



ATTEMPTS JUNCTION WITH FITZ LEE. 379 

— two in Jones' brigade, and three in Gordon's. The 
other regiments of these brigades had been detached 
to accompany the advance of the main army. Fifteen 
hundred men would be an extreme estimate of the 
force present, while General Kilpatrick states his com- 
mand at " less than four thousand, all told." * General 
Kilpatrick occupied the open ground east of the Court 
House, where it would have been folly to attack unless 
with some equality of numbers; and as Stuart had 
nothing to gain by such an encounter, he contented 
himself with a quiet observation of the enemy until 
the distant sound of artillery informed him that Fitz 
Lee was advancing from the Rapidan. He now deter- 
mined to effect a junction with Lee at Brandy Station, 
and, if possible, to occupy the Fleetwood Hill, thus cut- 
ting off the cavalry at Culpeper Court House from their 
friends below. He therefore withdrew from Kilpat- 
rick's front, and moved rapidly through farm roads in 
the direction of Brandy Station. 

To rightly understand the events now transpiring it 
is necessary to follow General Fitz Lee's movements of 
this day, which are best described by an extract from 
his letter to the author published in the Philadelphia 
" Weekly Times," February 7, 1880. He says : — 

When General Lee decided to push General- Meade from his 
front on the Rapidan, he ordered me to hold his lines while he 
moved out and around Meade's flank. For this purpose two 
brigades of infantry were ordered to report to me, and with 
this force and my cavalry division I occupied the whole of 
General Lee's former extended front — the infantry upon the 
left of the line and my cavalry upon the right. Upon the day 
after General Lee's departure, gallant John Buford, who was 
at Stevensburg with his division of cavalry, moved up to the 
Rapidan, and crossed that stream below my right, on a forced 
reconnoissance. I attacked him at once with my cavalry 
1 Philadelphia Weekly Times, August 23, 1879. 



380 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

alone, drove him back again across Raccoon Ford, and followed 
him up rapidly. He was dislodged, after severe combats, from 
the two positions where only lie offered battle, namely, from 
Raccoon Ford and from Stevensburg. Expecting that Buford 
would make another stand at Brandy Station, I followed him 
to that point ; but on arriving in its vicinity I ascertained that 
he had passed beyond it, toward the Rappahannock. 

The country in which Stuart was operating was so 
open that his movement in withdrawing from the 
Court House could not long be concealed from Kil- 
patrick, who readily penetrated his design, and engaged 
with him in a race for Brandy Station. When Stuart 
reached the open plain near Slaughter Bradford's house, 
an animating sight presented itself. Dense columns 
of Federal cavalry were moving at a trot down the 
railroad, nearly parallel with his line of march. Below 
Bradford's the 1st North Carolina and the 12th Virginia 
were detached to attack two portions of the enemy's 
column which appeared to be separated from the main 
body. The hurry which seemed to pervade the Federal 
ranks, and the confusion which resulted from the charge 
of the 12th Virginia, promised good results, although 
the enemy's force was evidently much the greater. 
But while moving up in column of fours in a narrow 
farm lane to support the 12th Virginia, the 4th and 5th 
North Carolina Cavalry were suddenly opposed by a 
small body of the enemy, one batalion of the 5 th New 
York Cavalry, charging in column of squadrons with 
drawn sabres. Huddled together in the lane, these 
regiments, which had on this same day done gallant 
service in previous charges, turned and ran from less 
than half their own numbers, nor could their flight be 
checked until a few determined officers, pressing their 
horses to the head of the column of fugitives, blockaded 
the road with drawn pistols. The success of the enemy 



PICTURE OF THE SITUATION. 381 

was, however, short lived ; for the opportune arrival of 
the 7th Virginia Cavalry enabled Stuart to throw it 
upon the flank of the attacking party, and many of 
them were killed and captured. The time gained by 
this diversion was of the greatest importance to the 
Federal cavalry ; for it gave them possession of Fleet- 
wood, which they occupied with artillery before the 
arrival of either Fitz Lee or Stuart. Stuart's advance 
throughout the day had been so rapid that his guns 
could not keep to the front. He had, therefore, no 
means of notifying Fitz Lee of his approach. In the 
charges which had been made the fighting was done 
with the sabre, and while the noise and cheering which 
attended them was heard by Fitz Lee, it rather tended 
to retard than to hasten his advance, producing upon 
him the impression that the enemy in his front had 
been reinforced, and Stuart's command was even sub- 
jected for a time to the fire of Lee's guns. 

As Fitz Lee approached Brandy Station, following up 
Buford's retreating column, he extended the 5th and 
15th Virginia Cavalry and the 1st Maryland Battalion 
across the railroad, facing the position which Buford 
had now occupied on Fleetwood. The rear of these 
regiments was of course presented to Kilpatrick, of 
whose advance they were ignorant. The following ex- 
tract from a letter to the author from General T. L. 
Rosser, who then, as Colonel, commanded the 5th Vir- 
ginia Cavalry, gives a vivid picture of the situation : — 

My regiment, with the 1st Maryland and 15th Virginia Cav- 
alry, extended across the road upon which these troops were 
coming up in our rear. Not knowing who they were, I sent 
to Fitz Lee to learn something about them, but before hearing 
from him they came near enough for me to observe that they 
carried the Federal flag ; and to prevent being crushed between 
these two commands 1 withdrew my regiment-, and advised the 



382 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

other colonels to fall back so as to avoid the heavy blow in our 
reai\ We did so, and reformed perpendicular to Buford and 
parallel to the direction of march of the advancing column 
from the rear, and we were in good order when the head of 
Kilpatrick's column got opposite us. These troops were mov- 
ing at a full gallop ; they were not charging upon us, for we 
stood in line off to one side, and for a moment I looked on in 
amazement at the performance. I soon concluded that they 
were being pursued, and charged them in flank. Never in my 
life did I reap such a rich harvest in horses and prisoners. 

Stuart had now been disappointed in his expectation 
of delivering a serious blow upon Kilpatrick's cavalry. 
He could hardly have occupied Fleetwood, as events 
afterwards demonstrated, in advance of Buford's cav- 
alry ; and the bad behavior of the 4 th and 5th North 
Carolina regiments had rendered him powerless to 
strike Kilpatrick as he passed on to join Buford. But 
when a junction was formed with Fitz Lee's division, 
Stuart attacked the enemy around Brandy Station, 
which was again the scene of a sanguinary cavalry 
battle. It was late in the afternoon. General Pleas- 
onton, who had accompanied Kilpatrick's division from 
Culpeper Court House, assumed command of the united 
divisions of Buford and Kilpatrick, and handled his men 
as skilfully as he did on the 9th of June. Stuart ex- 
tended Lomax's and Chambliss' brigades on the Confed- 
erate right, so as to pour a cross-fire upon the enemy's 
left flank, while the rest of the command attacked in 
front. It was no easy matter to dislodge the enemy 
from the woods about the station. They fought bravely, 
even desperately. Several times dismounted men, while 
eagerly pressing forward, were surrounded by the en- 
emy's cavalry, and either fought their way out with 
their carbines and revolvers or were rescued by charges 
of their mounted comrades. Five times each did the 
5th, 6th, and 15th Virginia Cavalry make distinct sabre 



MOVEMENT TOWARD WARRENTON. 383 

charges, in one of which Colonel Harrison, of the 6th 
Virginia, was wounded. Despite all his efforts, the en- 
emy was steadily pushed back to his position upon Fleet- 
wood, in which he was so strong that Stuart declined to 
attack. Fitz Lee's division was now moved by the left 
past the Barbour House, as if to interpose between the 
enemy and the river, perceiving which Buford and Kil- 
patrick withdrew from their position, and protected by 
their artillery, which was handled with great skill, 
crossed the river after nightfall. Stuart's command biv- 
ouacked near Brandy Station, wearied with the hard 
conflicts of the day, but conscious that their efforts had 
been crowned with success. 

Early on the 12th orders were sent to Colonel Young, 
at James City, to move Butler's brigade to Culpeper 
Court House. Leaving the 5th Virginia Cavalry, under 
Colonel T. L. Rosser, with one piece of artillery, to 
picket the Rappahannock, Stuart proceeded with the 
remainder of his command to gain the front of the 
army, now moving toward Warrenton. 

Before following the movements of this column let 
us see what befell Rosser in his detached position. 
Stuart had succeeded in screening the march of Lee's 
army from the observation of the enemy. While Lee 
was hurrying northward Meade was under the impres- 
sion that he had halted at Culpeper Court House, and 
on the afternoon of the 12th he countermarched the 
2d, 5th, and 6th corps, with Buford's division of cavalry, 
intending to advance to Culpeper and there give battle 
to Lee if he could be found. This advance struck Ros- 
ser's regiment about two o'clock in the afternoon. He 
could, of course, do nothing but fall back, delaying 
Meade's march as much as circumstances would permit. 
So skilfully did he handle his men that it was nearly 
night when he reached the wooded ridge north of 



384 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

Culpeper Court House, known as Slaughter's Hill. To 
this point Colonel Young had hurried forward his bri- 
gade from James City, bringing with him five pieces 
of artillery. Dismounting every available man, and 
posting his guns in advantageous positions, he was ena- 
bled to display what seemed to be quite a formidable 
line of battle ; and as Rosser's line joined with his own 
the enemy was greeted with so severe a fire that he 
declined to attempt a further advance that night. Ros- 
ser and Young bivouacked on their line of battle, build- 
ing extensive camp-fires. Fortunately Young had with 
him a regimental band. This was moved rapidly from 
point to point in the rear, and by its music tended to 
exaggerate, in the enemy's estimation, the force at his 
disposal. Young, however, passed an anxious night, 
anticipating a serious advance by the enemy in the 
morning, which could not fail to disclose his real weak- 
ness. But during the night Meade was made aware of 
events, shortly to be related, which had transpired that 
afternoon at Warrenton Springs, and hurriedly recalled 
his army to meet Lee';' advance upon the Orange and 
Alexandria Railroad. Buford's movements in this 
affair were doubtless rendered more cautious by the 
severe handling which his men had received on these 
same fields during the previous afternoon, and by the 
knowledge that at that time certainly there was present 
a large force of Confederate cavalry. But this does not 
detract from the credit due to Rosser and Young, by 
whose bold management a small force was so magnified 
in the eyes of the enemy as to cause him to move with 
caution. 

Let us now return to the column operating under 
Stuart. Fitz Lee was sent to cross the river at Fox- 
ville, while Stuart, with Funsten's and Gordon's bri- 
gades, moved on toward Warrenton Springs. It will be 



AT WARRENTON SPRINGS. 385 

remembered that the 11th Virginia Cavalry, under 
Lieutenant-Colonel Ball, had been detached on the pre- 
vious day from Funsten's command for service in this 
direction. While advancing, on the 12th, Colonel Ball 
encountered the enemy's cavalry, the loth Pennsylvania 
and 10th New York regiments, 1 near Jefferson, and had 
unsuccessfully attempted to dislodge them from a strong 
position in the village. Upon Stuart's arrival the face 
of affairs was speedily changed. The 7th Virginia Cav- 
alry was sent to the left and the 12th Virginia Cavalry 
to the right, with the intention of penetrating to the 
enemy's rear, and cutting them off from the fords. Colo- 
nel Funsten, with the 12th Virginia, soon encountered 
the 10th New York Ca*valry, and, after a brief but severe 
struggle, drove them back toward the river. Meantime 
Colonel Ball had charged upon the loth Pennsylvania 
Cavalry, in the town, and had succeeded in breaking 
their lines although they fought hard for their position. 
He had them in full retreat toward the river just as 
Colonel Funsten was reforming the 12th Virginia in their 
rear. Without delay Funsten charged the retreating 
column in flank, while Ball pressed heavily upon their 
rear. In a moment the rout was complete. The regi- 
ment broke and scattered. In this engagement the 
moral effect of superior numbers was of course upon 
the Confederate side, but the fighting was done by two 
regiments which could hardly have outnumbered the 
two to which they were opposed. 

Sending two regiments to cross the Rappahannock 
higher up, Stuart proceeded to force the passage of the 
river at Warrenton Springs. Here the ford and bridge 
were commanded by rifle-pits, into which the enemy 
had thrown a considerable force of dismounted men, 
and these were supported by the mounted cavalry of 

1 Captain N. D. Preston, Philadelphia Weekly Times, November 23, 1878. 
25 



386 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

the 2d brigade of Gregg's division, and by artillery 
posted upon the hills beyond. In the absence of his 
own artillery Stuart applied for assistance to General 
Long, commanding the artillery of Ewell's corps. Eight 
guns were soon placed in position, and their fire silenced 
the enemy's battery and compelled the supporting cav- 
alry to seek shelter. 

Now the 12th Virginia was ordered to charge the 
bridge. Lieutenant Baylor's company still had the 
front. Darkness was settling down upon the field. 
Along a narrow causeway Baylor led his men in col- 
umn of fours. In the face of a sharp fire from the 
rifle-pits he reached the very abutment of the bridge 
before he discovered that the planks had been removed, 
and that a crossing was impossible. He must retrace 
his steps and try the ford. There was no trepidation, 
no confusion. " By fours, right about wheel ! For- 
ward ! " and in a moment he had descended from the 
causeway, and his column was plunging through the 
narrow ford, where hardly four could ride abreast. It 
was a gallant sight, and called forth wild huzzas from 
the Confederate infantry, many of whom were spec- 
tators of the scene. Up the hill went Baylor, and in 
a few moments the rifle-pits were cleared of the enemy 
and the approaches to the bridge were under our con- 
trol. While the planks were hastily replaced the cav- 
alry crossed at the ford and pressed the enemy steadily 
back to the Warrenton road. Although it was now 
dark Stuart ordered Funsten and Gordon to proceed to 
"Warrenton, where they bivouacked. Funsten had sev- 
eral skirmishes on the road, and captured about fifty of 
the enemy, who in the darkness had by mistake fallen 
in with his rear. 

On the morning of the 13th, while Lee's army was 
concentrating at Warrenton, Stuart was ordered to 



ADVANCES TO AUBURN. 387 

make a reconnoissance toward Catlett's Station. He 
received these orders about ten o'clock, and immediately 
sent forward Lomax's brigade. Funsten's and Gordon's 
brigades had been so constantly engaged with the 
enemy during the past four days that their ammunition 
was exhausted, and some unavoidable delay occurred 
while awaiting the arrival of their ordnance wagons. 
Lomax moved to Auburn, where he learned that the 
enemy occupied Warrenton Junction in force. Having 
gained this intelligence, he halted his command to await 
the other brigades. The proximity of the enemy ren- 
dered it likely that some severe fighting would occur 
on this reconnoissance, and Stuart carried with him 
seven pieces of artillery, under Major Beckham, and 
five ordnance wagons, that he might be prepared for 
any emergency. It was perhaps as late as four o'clock 
in the afternoon when Stuart joined Lomax at Auburn. 
A brief description of the roads in this vicinity is nec- 
essary for a correct understanding of the interesting 
and somewhat amusing events which now occurred. 

Warrenton Junction is distant from Warrenton about 
eight and one half miles, and almost due southeast. 
The road between these places makes with the railroad 
nearly a right angle. Catlett's Station is nearly three 
miles from Warrenton Junction and nine miles from 
Warrenton. Five miles from Warrenton, on the road to 
Catlett's Station, is Auburn, a little hamlet, consisting of 
the residence of Stephen McCormick, a post-office, and 
a blacksmith's shop. It is situated at the crossing of 
Cedar Run. Intersecting the Warrenton road at this 
point is a road leading from Freeman's Ford on the 
Rappahannock, and Fayetteville, toward Greenwich. 
The country about Auburn is rough with hills, both 
clear and wooded, and the crossing of Cedar Run is 
rendered difficult not only by the steep descent to its 



388 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

bed, but also by the fact that the ford is common to the 
intersecting roads. 

Leaving Lomax to guard his rear at Auburn, Stuart 
proceeded with the remainder of the command, includ- 
ing artillery and ordnance wagons, toward Catlett's 
Station. About three miles from Auburn the road de- 
bouches from the woods into the extensive open fields 
through which passes the Orange and Alexandria Rail- 
road, and from this point the whole country between 
Catlett's Station and Hanover Junction is plainly visible. 
Here an exciting scene met the gaze of the Confederate 
horsemen. An immense park of wagons occupied the 
fields between the two stations ; while infantry, artil- 
lery, and wagon trains were hurrying northward along 
the line of the railroad, at first in frequent detach- 
ments, afterward in steady columns. Hidden in the 
woods, Stuart remained in observation of the enemy 
for a long time. Satisfied that he was witnessing the 
movement of a large part of Meade's army, Stuart 
sent Major Venable, of his staff, to convey this infor- 
mation to General Lee, and to suggest an attack by the 
army upon the flank of this marching column. When 
Venable arrived within sight of Auburn he found it in 
the possession of the enemy ; but making a detour to 
the northward, he avoided them, and continued his 
course to Warrenton, having first sent word to Stuart of 
the condition of things in his rear. The explanation 
of this surprising circumstance is this : the 3d army 
corps, which had been stationed at Freeman's Ford 
during the 12th, moved on the 13th to join Meade's 
army, marching by way of Auburn. The 2d army 
corps, recalled from its advance toward Culpeper, 
reached Fayetteville early on the morning of the loth, 
and remaining there until the 3d corps had taken the 
advance, followed on the same road. Reaching Auburn 



HIS COMMAND ENCLOSED. 389 

late in the afternoon, the advance of the 3d corps easily 
brushed aside Lomax, who retired toward Warrenton. 
This occurred immediately before Venable's arrival at 
Auburn. Lomax had sent a messenger to Stuart with 
this information, but he failed to reach him. Evening 
was closing down when this state of affairs was an- 
nounced, and, as any movement toward the railroad 
was clearly impossible, Stuart retraced his steps to 
Auburn, if perchance a passage might still be forced at 
that point. A brief reconnoissance developed the fact 
that he was securely enclosed between two large march- 
ing columns of the enemy, and that any attempt to force 
his way through could be successful, if at all, only at a 
great sacrifice. Concealment seemed impossible ; for 
the advance was now skirmishing with the enemy at 
Auburn, and an occasional shot in rear told that the 
rear-guard had been observed by parties flanking the 
march of the column on the railroad. Between the ad- 
vance and the rear-guard stood the two brigades on the 
road, in close column, wondering what would be the 
result. Stuart hesitated not a moment. With all his 
fondness for attack, he knew when to remain quiet as 
well as when to act. Every available staff officer was 
employed in withdrawing the command from the road 
to the fields on its northern side. The advance and 
rear-guards were drawn in, with orders on no account 
to return the enemy's fire. As if by magic, the road 
was cleared of horsemen, artillery, and wagons, and 
darkness found us snugly sheltered beneath the hills 
which raised their friendly crests between us and dan- 
ger. How thankful we were for those hills! How 
thankful for that darkness ! An hour of daylight would 
have wrought our destruction ; for even with Lomax's 
assistance on the opposite side, a passage of the difficult 
ford would have been impossible in the face of War- 



390 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

ren y s infantry ; and in no other direction could we look 
with greater hope. The enemy enclosed us in front 
and rear. Upon our right was a forest, upon our left 
a mill-race. 

Our guns were soon posted upon the crest of the hill 
which overlooked the ford, and within three hundred 
yards of the road along which the enemy was march- 
ing. And nothing now remained but to watch and 
wait and keep quiet. Quiet ? Yes, the men kept very 
quiet, for they realized that even Stuart never before 
had them in so " tight " a place. But many times did 
we fear that we were betrayed by the weary, hungry, 
headstrong mules of the ordnance train. Men were 
stationed at the head of every team ; but in spite of 
all precautions, a discordant bray would every now and 
then fill the air. Never was the voice of a mule so 
harsh ! 

Though not without an admixture of the ludicrous, 
those were anxious hours. This was the only occasion 
on which I remember to have seen Stuart give outward 
manifestation of his deep concern. So close were we 
to the marching columns of the enemy that we could 
distinctly hear the orders of the officers as they closed 
up the column. We could even hear the voices of the 
men in conversation, and could distinguish between the 
passage of wagons and artillery by the noise of the 
wheels. Throughout the whole night, and almost with- 
out interruption, did we listen to the sound of hostile 
feet ; and much did we rejoice that the noise of their 
march rendered inaudible to them the sounds which 
arose from our bivouac. Many were the plans of re- 
lief suggested and discussed. At one time it was pro- 
posed to abandon the artillery and wagons, mass the 
cavalry, and, overriding all opposition, break a way 
through the marching column. But Stuart would , not 



AN ANXIOUS NIGHT. 391 

listen to a plan which involved the loss of a gun or a 
wheel. This might be adopted as a last resort, but that 
crisis had not yet arrived. Another plan, which his own 
mind suggested, nearly gained his approval. This was 
to turn off to the west the head of one of the wagon 
trains, as if by direction of some superior officer, then fall 
in with his own command and march the whole to a place 
of safety. Brilliant as such an achievement would have 
been if successful, and easy to accomplish with a small 
command, it seemed too hazardous to be attempted 
with two brigades. Moreover, Stuart still had hope 
that Lee would attack this column of the enemy, in 
which case he was in the best position to inflict damage. 
And so the night wore on. No break occurred through 
which it would have been possible to move, and our 
main hope of safety lay in the expectation that the 
rear of the enemy would have passed our position by 
dawn, or would have cleared the vicinity of Warrenton 
Junction, so as to admit of a detour in that direction. 
Should this fail, we had an abiding confidence that 
General Lee would send forces to our assistance ; for, 
during the night, Stuart had taken measures to inform 
him of our situation. As day began to dawn it was 
manifest that a collision of some kind was unavoidable. 
Upon the adjacent hill-tops and on the same side of 
Cedar Run with ourselves, but between us and the ford, 
a large force of infantry had halted, stacked arms, and 
were building camp-fires and preparing for breakfast. 
And now hearts beat quick with suspense, and saddle- 
girths were tightened, and arms were made ready ; for 
the moment of our discovery could not be far distant, 
and at that moment we must attack. Our seven guns 
were pushed a little further on the crest of the hill, so 
as fully to command the opposite bivouac ; and then 
we waited. As soon as it became light the infantry 



392 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

commenced to straggle in search of water, and some 
of them approached so near that they could not fail 
to recognize the Confederate uniforms. A few shots 
on the side of the enemy next to Warrenton informed 
us that some one was about to commence work there, 
and in an instant our seven guns were raining shell 
and canister upon the enemy. Never were men more 
completely surprised. Soon they recovered themselves, 
and a regiment or more was moved in line of battle, 
without skirmishers, directly upon the position of our 
guns ; but their fire and that of the dismounted men 
who supported them was more than they could bear, 
and that line of battle sunk from sight below the crest 
of an intervening hill, and made its appearance no 
more. Our left flank, which extended across the road 
to Catlett's, was our weak point, and against this a 
strong attack was directed. It was all-important to 
repel this, for our only means of egress lay in that 
direction. Colonel Ruffin now led the 1st North Car- 
olina Cavalry in a mounted charge. He rode over a 
strong line of skirmishers, most of whom surrendered ; 
but his charge was broken by the close line of battle 
beyond, and his men returned and reformed for another 
attack, but left behind them for dead their gallant 
leader. The enemy's advance was checked, and, seiz- 
ing the favorable moment, the artillery and wagons 
were withdrawn from the hills, and, passing in rear of 
the enemy's position, the whole command was extri- 
cated from its perilous situation. Stuart had expected 
when he commenced the attack that he would be aided 
by a vigorous movement of our troops from Warren- 
ton, and he had hoped that the combined assault would 
inflict serious damage upon the enemy, and perhaps 
bring on a general engagement between the armies. 
General Lee had been fully informed of his situation 



IN POSITION AT BUCKLAND. 393 

by no less than six bold men, who, passing through 
the enemy's column while on the march, had carried 
verbal messages to the commanding general. A part, 
at least, of Ewell's corps had been moved down to his 
assistance, and had commenced an attack ; but as the 
fire of Stuart's guns, which were served with intensest 
energy, continued and increased, the fire of the infan- 
try on the opposite side diminished to a weak skirmish- 
ing. They afterward complained that the shot from 
Stuart's guns, passing through and over the enemy, ar- 
rested their advance. Ignorant of what force was on 
the other side, and thinking that perhaps Lomax alone 
was endeavoring to do what he could for his relief, 
Stuart was compelled to abandon his attack, and at the 
first possible moment to> provide for the safety of his 
men. 

The advance of Lee's army ended with the fight at 
Bristoe Station, but Stuart continued to follow the 
withdrawing lines of the enemy, and had frequent col- 
lisions with their cavalry during the next three days, 
on Bull Run, at Manassas, Groveton, and Frying Pan 
Church. The result of these movements was that, on 
the night of the 18th, Stuart, with Hampton's division, 
was in position at Buckland, opposing Kilpatrick's cav- 
alry and a large infantry support, which had been 
advanced from Fairfax Court House. Fitz Lee's divi- 
sion was within supporting distance at Auburn, and 
had orders to move to Buckland. Early on the 19th 
the enemy attempted to force the passage of Broad 
Run at Buckland, but were repulsed in every attempt. 
The morning was wearing away in the contest when 
Stuart received word from Fitz Lee that he was in 
motion to join him, and suggesting that Stuart should 
retire in Kilpatrick's front, drawing him on toward 
Warrenton, while he would attempt to interpose his 



394 MAJOR-GENERAL J. ' E. B. STUART. 

division between Kilpatrick and Broad Run. If caught 
in this trap, Kilpatrick would be likely to suffer. Stu- 
art at once adopted the suggestion and notified Lee 
that he would turn upon Kilpatrick at the sound of the 
first gun. Halting Custer's brigade at Broad Run, to 
guard his left flank and rear, Kilpatrick followed Stuart 
with caution as far as Chestnut Ridge, about three miles 
from Warrenton. 

Meantime Fitz Lee had come up from Auburn, ex- 
pecting to gain, unopposed, the rear of Kilpatrick's 
entire division ; but he found Custer's brigade at Broad 
Run ready to oppose him. A fierce fight ensued. Ma- 
jor P. P. Johnston, of the Stuart Horse Artillery, now 
a resident of Lexington, Ky., who commanded at Buck- 
land a section of Breathed's battery, and who was se- 
verely wounded in this engagement, makes to me in 
substance the following statement : — 

My battery was hotly engaged when Fitz Lee attacked Cus- 
ter's brigade at Buckland Mills. The battle was of the most 
obstinate character, Fitz Lee exerting himself to the utmost to 
push the enemy, and Custer seeming to have no thought of re- 
tiring. Suddenly a cloud of dust arose on the road toward 
"Warrenton, and as suddenly everything in our front gave way. 
The mounted cavalry was ordered forward, and I saw no more 
of the enemy, although following as closely as my wounded con- 
dition would permit. 

The first sound of Fitz Lee's guns roused Stuart from 
his self-imposed inaction. Instantly Hampton's divi- 
sion was faced about and hurled upon Davies' brigade. 
Gordon's brigade, led by the 1st North Carolina, took 
the road, and Young and Rosser charged on either 
flank. The attack was sudden and impetuous, and 
although the enemy made resistance, their lines were 
soon broken and routed. Now commenced the race for 
Buckland. Routed in front, and admonished by the 



ROUT OF DAVIES' BRIGADE. 395 

artillery firing that an enemy had gained their rear, 
Kilpatrick's men ran in a manner worthy of the occa- 
sion. For nearly five miles the chase was continued 
without a pause. Naturally the crowd of fugitives, 
among whom all order was cast aside, made faster time 
than did the pursuing brigades. Colonel Young, who 
had led his brigade through the woods on the right of 
the road in the endeavor to reach the enemy's flank, 
was not able to get near enough to them to strike a 
blow, although he moved with all the speed that the na- 
ture of the ground permitted. Of course the stampede of 
Davies' brigade placed Custer in a critical position, and 
necessitated his precipitate withdrawal from Fitz Lee's 
front. But Custer was a hard fighter even in a retreat, 
and he succeeded in saving his artillery, and in recross- 
ing Broad Run without any serious disorder. Some of 
the fugitives from Davies' brigade crossed at Buckland 
with Custer ; the remainder, now cut off from that 
ford, continued their flight toward Haymarket. 

In the rout of Davies' brigade Stuart captured two 
hundred and fifty prisoners, and eight wagons and am- 
bulances, among them General Custer's headquarters' 
wagon, baggage, and papers. Fitz Lee now pushed 
down the pike toward Gainesville, while Stuart moved 
on the left toward Haymarket. On both roads the 
pursuit was continued until the lines of the 1st army 
corps were encountered. General Custer in his report * 
makes no mention of the stampede of Davies' brigade. 
General Kilpatrick has even attempted to deny it alto- 
gether. 2 But there are hundreds of eye-witnesses on 
either side yet living who can bear testimony to the 
substantial accuracy of this narrative. 

1 Moore's Rebellion Record, vol. vii. p. 561. 

2 Philadelphia Weekly Times, August 23, 1879. 



396 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

On the night of the 19th Stuart bivouacked at Buck- 
land. On the next day he marched through Warren- 
ton on his way to rejoin Lee's army, which had again 
taken up the line of the Rapidan. His loss in killed 
and wounded during these operations was 408. The 
loss in missing is not stated, but was small. Major 
G. M. Eyals, provost - marshal of the cavalry, reports 
1,370 prisoners captured from the enemy during these 
days. The losses of the Federal cavalry were 390 
killed and wounded, and 885 captured or missing. 1 

1 Records of the Adjutant-General's Office. 



CHAPTER XIX. 

THE WINTER OF 1863-64. 

At the close of the Bristoe Campaign the Confeder- 
ate army returned to Culpeper County, and encamped 
on either side of the Orange and Alexandria Railroad, 
holding the line of the Rappahannock. After rebuild- 
ing the railroad, which had been destroyed north of the 
river, the Federal army again advanced, and on the 
7th of November forced the passage of the Rappahan- 
nock at Kelly's Ford and the railroad bridge, inflicting 
heavy loss at the latter place on the Confederate infan- 
try. General Lee now withdrew his army beyond the 
Rapiclan, and preparations were made for establishing 
winter quarters. This season of rest was, however, in- 
terrupted by the Mine Run Campaign. On the 26th 
of November General Meade put his army in motion, 
crossed the Rapidan at Germanna and Ely's Fords, and 
moved up the river in the direction of Orange Court 
House. Hampton's division, supported by the advance 
of Hill's corps, checked the enemy, on the 27th, near 
New Hope Church ; while Early, on the left, advanced 
as far as Locust Grove, where he found the enemy in 
force. Believing that it was the intention of General 
Meade to attack, General Lee withdrew, on the night 
of the 27th, to a strong position on the west side of 
Mine Run, where he intrenched himself. On the morn- 
ing of the 28th Meade's army advanced to the Confed- 
erate position and threw up intrenchments. For four 



398 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

days the armies confronted each other, but on the 
night of the 1st of December General Meade with- 
drew and recrossed the Rapidan, after which the lines 
previously held were resumed by both armies. On the 
27th of November General T. L. Rosser, who had been 
promoted and assigned to the command of Jones' bri- 
gade, attacked a wagon train in the rear of the Fed- 
eral army, and made some important captures. On 
the 29th of November an engagement occurred at Par- 
ker's Store, between Hampton's and Gregg's divisions, 
in which the Confederate reports claim a success. It 
has not been convenient to obtain access to the Federal 
reports of these battles. 

I desire to state one incident of this campaign which, 
so far as I know, has never been recorded. Hampton 
occupied the extreme right of the Confederate line. A 
personal reconnoissance on the 30th brought him into a 
position where he was in rear of the Federal left wing, 
which was fully commanded by his post of observation. 
Hampton was looking down on the rear of the Federal 
guns as they stood pointed against the Confederate 
lines. There seemed to be no reason why a heavy force 
could not be concentrated at this point, which might 
attack the Federal lines in reverse, and perhaps reenact 
some of the scenes of Chancellorsville. This information 
was quickly communicated to Stuart, who, after himself 
examining the ground, conducted General R. E. Lee to 
the same place. A council of war was held that night. 
The talk among; the staff was that General Lee and 
General Stuart favored an immediate attack, but that 
Generals Ewell and Hill did not deem it best. General 
Lee made another personal reconnoissance on the 1st 
of December. He says in his report : — 

Anderson's and Wilcox's divisions were withdrawn from the 
trenches at three A. M. on the 2d and moved to our right, with 



CUSTER'S RAID TO CHARLOTTESVILLE. 399 

a view to make an attack in that quarter. As soon as it be- 
came light enough to distinguish objects it was discovered that 
the enemy's pickets along our entire line had retired, and our 
skirmishers were sent forward to ascertain his position. . . . 

The movements of General Meade, and all the reports re- 
ceived as to his intention, led me to believe that he would 
attack, and I desired to have the advantage that such an 
attempt on his part would afford. 

After awaiting his advance until Tuesday evening, prepara- 
tions were made to attack him on Wednesday morning. Thie 
was prevented by his retreat. 

During the month of February an expedition was 
projected by which it was expected that the capture of 
the city of Richmond and the release of the Federal 
prisoners there confined would be effected by a large 
body of Federal cavalry. The command of this expe- 
dition was intrusted to General Judson Kilpatrick. In 
order to cover this movement and increase the chances 
of success, a heavy demonstration was made on the 
Federal right. On the 28th of February the 6th corps 
and a portion of the 3d were thrown forward from Cul- 
peper to Madison Court House. At about midnight 
General Custer left Madison Court House for Charlottes- 
ville. He commanded a body of 1,500 cavalry. There 
was nothing to interfere with his march, and he reached 
the vicinity of Charlottesville early in the afternoon 
of the 29th. Four batteries of horse artillery, Moor- 
man's, Chew's, Breathed's, and McGregor's, were resting 
securely in their winter quarters, near the Rivanna 
River, about three miles from Charlottesville. Captain 
M. N. Moorman was in command of these batteries. 
He received the first information of the advance of the 
enemy at a little past midday on the 29th, from Lieu- 
tenant J. N. Cunningham, of the 1st Virginia Cavalry, 
who had been watching the column since it left Madi- 
son Court House. Captain Moorman at once sent out 



400 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

pickets to the Rio Bridge, but before they could reach 
that point they met the enemy and were driven back 
and pursued into the camp. There were no troops of 
any kind at Charlottesville, for although a body of in- 
fantry was sent by railroad from Orange Court House 
as soon as this movement was discovered, it did not 
reach Charlottesville until after the enemy had retired. 
Captain Moorman was compelled to rely on his own re- 
sources. In order to check the enemy he opened fire 
from a portion of the guns of each battery, while the 
drivers and the rest of the cannoneers caught up and 
hitched the horses which were running loose in the 
fields. As fast as a carriage was horsed it was moved 
to the rear, until only four guns remained in the 
camp. Lieutenant P. P. Johnston was placed in charge 
of the guns which were retired, and he distributed 
them along- the road toward Charlottesville wherever 
position could be obtained ; for it was the determina- 
tion of these gallant artillerymen to dispute the ground 
with the enemy, and to sell their guns at the dearest 
price. Captain Moorman says in his report : — 

The enemy by this time had pressed back through camp the 
line of skirmishers (unarmed except a few pistols) which I 
had deployed in my front. Having ordered all of my guns 
back excepting two sections, I drew up behind each a mounted 
support, placing the remainder of those mounted under Cap- 
tains Chew and Breathed to guard my flank and manoeuvre in 
front, making a show of cavalry, in the execution of which 
they deserve great credit. Just at this moment, when the 
enemy's column which had crossed at Cook's Ford had reached 
and set fire to our camp, their right, which had crossed at Rio, 
made a charge just in time to receive and mistake the explo- 
sion of one of Captain Chew's caissons for the reopening of 
our guns (for they had just ceased firing at that point). Each 
column, mistaking the other for his enemy, fired into each 
other and broke. Captains Chew and Breathed, seeing their 



FAILURE TO INTERCEPT THE RAIDERS. 401 

mistake, charged with their squadrons, and drove the enemy 
with such precipitancy that I presume they have never discov- 
ered their mistake, as they never ventured to return, but drew 
up in line upon the opposite bank waiting the advance of the 
Horse. They opened upon us two pieces of artillery, to which 
I made no reply. 

Captain Moorman enumerates his losses with great 
particularity, the most serious of which were two men 
and nine horses or mules captured. He states that the 
men of Chew's and Breathed's batteries lost most of 
their private effects in the burning of their camp, but 
he rejoices that he was able to save his guns under 
such circumstances. 

For some reason, which cannot now be explained, 
Stuart received tardy information of the march of the 
enemy towards Charlottesville, and it was not until af- 
ternoon that he started in that direction with Wickham's 
brigade. He had not marched many miles when the 
sound of distant firing announced that the enemy had 
reached Charlottesville. Still later the information was 
received that the enemy had retired, and Stuart turned 
his march northward in the hope of intercepting the 
return of the raiders in the vicinity of Stannardsville. 
The night was cold and rainy. As the rain fell it 
froze, and covered the face of the earth with sleet. 
Stuart reached the road on which the enemy was re- 
turning about daylight, and found that one detachment 
had already passed on toward Madison Court House. 
Here he awaited the arrival of the main body. For 
two or three hours his men sat on their horses or on 
the ground, exhausted, wet, and shivering. They had 
no food, and no fires could be built. Under such cir- 
cumstances men cannot fight. When Custer discov- 
ered that an enemy was in his front he ordered a 
charge. His men, warm in the saddle, responded 

26 



402 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

promptly, and easily brushed aside the force which 
Stuart had posted along the road. Without attempt- 
in^ any pursuit, Custer continued his way to Madison 
Court House. 

While these events were transpiring General Kil- 
patrick was inarching upon Richmond. His force 
amounted to 3,582 men. Leaving Stevensburg on the 
night of the 28th, he marched to Ely's Ford on the 
Rapidan, where he succeeded in capturing the entire 
picket without giving any alarm. Soon after crossing 
the Rapidan he sent forward an advance column of 
460 men, under Colonel Ulric Dahlgren, which passed 
through Spottsylvania Court House about three o'clock, 
a. M., and pushed rapidly forward in the direction of 
the Central Railroad, which they struck near Freder- 
ickshall about noon on the 29th. Here they captured 
a court-martial, consisting of eight officers. They also 
threatened the camps of the artillery of the 2d corps, 
commanded by General A. L. Long. Finding that 
General Long was prepared to offer resistance, they 
continued their march toward the James River. The 
papers found on the body of Colonel Dahlgren indi- 
cate that it was a part of the plan of this expedition 
that, if it were found possible to cross the James River,* 
Dahlgren's command should be divided, and a portion 
of it should attack Richmond from the south side. 
General Kilpatrick's report indicates that it was his 
intention that the whole of Dahlsnren's force should 
cross the James. It was hoped that a simultaneous 
attack by the main column under Kilpatrick and the 
detachment under DamVren would be successful in lib- 
erating the Federal prisoners, and in capturing Rich- 
mond. Colonel Dahlarren's command reached the 
James River in the vicinity of Dover Mills. Finding 
no means of crossing to the south side, he continued 



KILPATRICK DRIVEN FROM CAMP. 403 

to march down the river toward Richmond, which he 
reached on the afternoon of Tuesday, the 1st of March, 
but not in time to give aid to Kilpatrick, or to receive 
assistance from him. 

Following the route of his advance column to Spott- 
sylvania Court House, General Kilpatrick, with the 
main body of his command, marched to Beaver Dam 
Station, on the Central Railroad, and thence to Ash- 
land, on the Fredericksburg Railroad. He reached the 
outer defences of Richmond at about ten o'clock on 
Tuesday morning by the Brook turnpike. Colonel 
W. H. Stevens, commanding, the defences of Richmond, 
had here about 500 men and six pieces of artillery. 
After engaging these troops until dark, 1 and hearing 
nothing from Dahlgren, Kilpatrick withdrew by the 
Meadow Bridge road, and encamped for the night near 
Atlee's Station. This withdrawal was effected not far 
from the time when Dahlgren made his attack upon 
the intrenchments of Richmond by the river road. 

During this day Hampton had moved down from 
Hanover Junction with 306 men of Gordon's North 
Carolina brigade, under the command of Colonel W. 
H. Cheek. He reached Hughes' Cross Roads after dark, 
and, discovering the camp-fires of Kilpatrick's men 
near Atlee's Station, he dismounted 100 men, brought 
his artillery up to close range, attacked the camp, and 
drove Kilpatrick from it. Kilpatrick's men made but 
little resistance. Eighty-seven prisoners, 133 horses, 
and a number of arms and equipments were captured. 
Hampton was joined the following morning by Colonel 
Bradley T. Johnson, who with forty men of the Mary- 
land cavalry had followed the enemy from Beaver 
Dam, and who also had captured a number of prisoners. 
After being driven from his camp Kilpatrick continued 

1 Kilpatrick's report. 



404 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

his march during the night, and made his escape to 
Williamsburg. 

The most important result of the night attack made 
by Hampton was that it caused Colonel Dahlgren, with 
a considerable portion of his command, to make a wide 
detour in the effort to reach Gloucester Point. He had 
succeeded in crossing both the Pamunkey and the 
Mattapony, although his march was watched and har- 
assed by small bodies of cavalrymen, who were at home 
recruiting. On Wednesday night, the 3d of March, 
he fell into an ambuscade near King and Queen Court 
House, which had been laid in his path by Lieuten- 
ant James Pollard, of company H, 9th Virginia Cav- 
alry. Lieutenant Pollard was aided by Captain W. M. 
McGruder, of the 42d Virginia battalion, and by 
Captains Bagby, Halbach, and Todd, of the Home 
Guards. Just before the action occurred Captain E. 
C. Fox, of company E, 5th Virginia Cavalry, arrived 
with 28 men of his company, and assumed command 
of the whole force, which now amounted to about 150 
men. The fire of the ambush was reserved until the 
enemy had approached to close quarters. Colonel 
Dahlgren fell at the first fire. His men were surrounded 
in such a position that escape was impossible. At 
daylight they surrendered to Lieutenant Pollard, who 
reports the capture of 40 negroes and 135 soldiers. 

Upon the body of Colonel Dahlgren were found pa- 
pers which disclosed the objects of his expedition. An 
address which was to be delivered to his troops, and 
which was signed with his official signature, directed 
that the city of Richmond should be burned and de- 
stroyed, and that President Davis and his cabinet should 
be killed. Another paper, containing special orders 
and instructions, but without signature, made provision 
for the same course of conduct. Photographic copies 



THE "DAHLGREN PAPERS." 405 

of these papers were transmitted under flag of truce 
by General Lee to General Meade, and the inquiry was 
made whether the United States government or Colo- 
nel Dahlgren's superior officers approved and sanctioned 
such orders. In his reply General Meade denies that 
the United States government, himself, or General Kil- 
patrick authorized, sanctioned, or approved the burning 
of the city of Richmond and the killing of Mr. Davis 
and cabinet, or any other act not required by military 
necessity and in accordance with the usages of war. 
General Kilpatrick further states that the officers of 
Colonel Dahlgren's command all testify that he issued 
no address whatever. General Kilpatrick adds : — 

Colonel Dahlgren, one hour before we separated at my 
headquarters, handed me an address that he intended to read 
to his command. The paper was indorsed in red ink "ap- 
proved," over my official signature. The photographic papers 
referred to are true copies of the papers approved by me, save 
so far as they speak of exhorting the prisoners to destroy and 
burn the hateful city, and kill the traitor Davis and his cabi- 
net, and in this, that they do not contain the indorsement re- 
ferred to as having been placed by me on Colonel Dahlgren's 
papers. Colonel Dahlgren received no orders from me to pil- 
lage, burn, or kill, nor were any such instructions given me by 
my superiors. 



CHAPTER XX. 

THE DEATH OF STUART. 

On the morning of the 4th of May, 1864, commenced 
the Wilderness campaign. 

As soon as intelligence was received that the enemy 
had crossed the fords of the Rapidan, Stuart proceeded 
to his picket line, accompanied by only one courier, 
leaving his staff to break up the pleasant camp near 
Orange Court House which had been our home during 
the winter. Later in the day we joined him at the 
front, and bivouacked that night just in rear of the 
picket reserve, and some distance beyond the lines of 
the infantry. Meantime the cavalry was moving up on 
the right to envelop the enemy. 

On the morning of the 5th Stuart in person con- 
ducted the advance of A. P. Hill's corps on the plank 
road until the enemy's lines were reached and the bat- 
tle was joined. On this day Rosser had a severe and 
successful encounter with Wilson's division of cavalry, 
on the right, beyond Todd's Tavern. 1 

On the 6th the battle was renewed in the Wilderness, 
and was continued throughout the day with great in- 
tensity. On the 6th and 7th the cavalry of both ar- 
mies was eno-ag-ed in severe conflicts on the Confederate 
rig;ht. On the ni«;ht of the 7th General Grant com- 
menced to move his army by the left flank, in the en- 
deavor to interpose it between General Lee and Rich- 

1 Moore's Rebellion Record, vol. xi. p. 452. 



FITZ LEE RESISTS ADVANCE OF 5TH CORPS. 407 

mond. The movement was discovered in time, and 
Fitz Lee's division was thrown in front of the Federal 
column, to delay it until Longstreet's corps, under An- 
derson, could reach Spottsylvania Court House. This 
was accomplished, although it entailed on Fitz Lee's di- 
vision one of the severest conflicts in which it was ever 
engaged. Torbert's cavalry, commanded by Merritt 
and backed. by the 5th corps, attacked before daylight. 
Fitz Lee employed his whole command dismounted, and 
presented so solid a front that the Federal cavalry found 
it difficult to move him ; and having forced him slowly 
back beyond the forks of the road west of Alsop's, they 
were, at Merritt's suggestion, relieved by a line of bat- 
tle from the 5th corps. 1 General Grant bears testi- 
mony to the character of the fighting when he says in 
his report : — 

On the 8th General Warren met a force of the enemy which 
had been sent out to oppose and delay his advance, to gain 
time to fortify the line taken up at Spottsylvania. This force 
was steadily driven back on the main force within the recently 
constructed works, after considerable fighting, resulting in se- 
vere loss to both sides. 

Fitz Lee was greatly aided in this battle by his bat- 
tery, now commanded by Captain P. P. Johnston, 
Breathed having been recently made major of the bat- 
talion. His last position was close to Spottsylvania 
Court House, and immediately in front of a portion of 
Anderson's corps, which was drawn up in line of battle, 

1 It was in this action that Captain Joseph P. Ash, of the 5th United 
States Cavalry, was killed. This young officer is frequently mentioned in 
the reports of his superiors as a model of gallantry. An interesting inci- 
dent occurred some months after his death. A sergeant of the 5th Cavalry 
who had served in the old army under Fitz Lee was captured and brought 
into his presence. During the conversation which ensued, Fitz Lee asked 
the sergeant why the old Rifles did not stand to their work better than they 
had done recently ; and the sergeant replied that since Captain Ash was 
killed they had n't had any one to lead them right in a charge. 



408 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

behind cover, and concealed from the view of the enemy 
by the crest of an intervening hill, which was held by 
Johnston's battery to give the led horses and dis- 
mounted men time to retire. Both Breathed and John- 
ston were present. A strong line of battle soon made 
its appearance on the edge of the opposite woods, and, 
seeing no support to the battery, pressed eagerly for- 
ward to capture it. The fire of the battery was main- 
tained as long as possible, when Breathed directed 
Johnston to retire the left section, leaving the right to 
him. Johnston declined to leave while his battery was 
engaged, but retired three of his guns, one piece at a 
time, when he himself was shot through the shoulder, 
and followed the third from the field. Before any of 
the guns had left position the enemy had approached 
so near that they felt secure of capturing the battery, 
and the demand to surrender was heard from all sides. 
Breathed was now alone with the last gun. The can- 
noneers had limbered up the piece and had mounted their 
horses to retire ; but before the gun could be moved, 
the drivers and horses of the lead and swing teams were 
killed or wounded, and Ryan, the driver of the wheel 
team, had his arm shattered by a bullet. As if uncon- 
scious of the presence of an enemy, Breathed jumped 
from his horse, cut loose the teams that were struggling; 
on the ground, mounted a wheel horse, and brought off 
the gun almost as by a miracle. The enemy pressed on 
with loud cheering. As they crossed the crest of the 
hill they met the fire of Anderson's men at short range. 
Staggered by it, they fell back and did not renew the 
charge. 

• Up to this time only a portion of Anderson's corps 
had reached the Court House. A few moments later 
Stuart arrived with the remainder. At General An- 
derson's request he extended the left of the infantry 



SHERIDAN MOVES ON RICHMOND. 409 

with his dismounted cavalry, and remained in command 
of the left of Anderson's line for several hours, until the 
arrival of the rest of the army relieved the cavalry and 
enabled it to withdraw. 

While Stuart was thus engaged, brisk skirmishing 
was continued along the line. He exposed himself 
to fire with more than his usual disregard of danger, 
in spite of the repeated and earnest remonstrances of 
several of the infantry officers. I was the only mem- 
ber of his staff present. Not even a courier attended 
us. He kept me so busy in carrying messages to Gen- 
eral Anderson, and some of these messages seemed so 
unimportant, that at last the thought occurred to me 
that he was endeavoring to shield me from danger. I 
said to him : " General, my horse is weary. You are 
exposing yourself, and you are alone. Please let me 
remain with you." He smiled at me kindly, but bade 
me go to General Anderson with another message. 

During this day, the 8th, the enemy's cavalry was 
concentrated in rear of the army and moved to the vi- 
cinity of Fredericksburg. On the morning of the 9th 
General P. H. Sheridan, with about twelve thousand 
cavalry and a large force of artillery, moved to Hamil- 
ton's Crossing, thence to the Telegraph Road, and on 
toward Richmond. He thus avoided all but the outer 
line of the Confederate pickets and patrols. The move- 
ment was promptly reported, and within two hours after 
his column had passed Massaponax Church Wickham's 
brigade was in pursuit. Wickham struck the enemy 
at Jarrald's Mill, and drove in the rear-guard, the 6th 
Ohio Cavalry, 1 taking a number of prisoners. Here 
the enemy left the Telegraph Road, taking that to Bea- 
ver Dam. The 6th Ohio was now reinforced by the 1st 
New Jersey Cavalry, 2 and the rear-guard, thus strength- 

1 Moore's Rebellion Record, vol. xi. p. 453. 2 Ibid. 



410 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

ened, made a determined stand near Mitchell's Shop. 
Wickham attacked promptly, but made no impression. 
One or two of his regiments had recoiled from the 
charge, when he called for Matthews' squadron of the 
3d Virginia, with the remark, " I know he will go 
through." Matthews led his column of fours down the 
narrow lane and pierced the enemy's lines, but he did 
not return. The heavy force of the enemy closed upon 
the head of his column, killed five, wounded three, and 
captured ten men of his company. Matthews' horse was 
killed. While fighting on foot with his sabre, he was 
shot from behind and mortally wounded. His gallantry 
excited the admiration of his enemies, who carefully 
carried him to a neighboring farm-house, leaving with 
him one of his company who had been captured in the 
charge. He died that night. 

At this point Stuart and Fitz Lee joined Wickham, 
with Lomax's and Gordon's brigades. These three bri- 
gades numbered between four and five thousand men. 
Leaving Fitz Lee to follow the enemy's rear toward 
Chilesburg, Stuart marched in the night, with Gordon's 
brigade, to Davinport's Bridge, where he crossed the 
North Anna the following morning. The brigades were 
united at Beaver Dam Station, where the enemy's rear 
was again encountered. While his troops were at 
Beaver Dam, Stuart snatched a few minutes to visit the 
residence of Colonel Edmund Fontaine, in the immedi- 
ate vicinity, to ascertain the safety of his wife and chil- 
dren, who were visiting there at that time. Having 
satisfied himself that his family had escaped the danger 
to which they had been exposed, and having learned that 
the main column of the enemy had passed southward 
toward Negro Foot, with the intention of striking the 
Louisa or Old Mountain Road, Stuart divided his com- 
mand, sending Gordon's brigade to follow the rear of the 



STUARTS MARCH TO YELLOW TAVERN. 411 

enemy, while he himself, with Fitz Lee's two brigades, 
marched to Hanover Junction, on his way to interpose 
between the enemy and Richmond. He reached the 
Junction some hours after dark, and proposed to prose- 
cute his march without a stop. But Fitz Lee's men were 
thoroughly worn out. At the urgent request of Gen- 
eral Lee, Stuart consented that the command should rest 
until one o'clock ; and calling me to him, he ordered 
me to accompany General Lee to his bivouac, and not 
to close my eyes until I saw his command mounted and 
on the march at the appointed hour. When the troops 
had moved out I returned to Stuart and awoke him and 
the staff. While they were preparing to move I lay 
down, to catch, if possible, a few minutes' rest. The 
party rode off as I lay in a half -conscious condition, and 
I heard some one say : " General, here 's McClellan, fast 
asleep. Shall I wake him ? " 

" No," he replied ; " he has been watching while we 
were asleep. Leave a courier with him, and tell him 
to come on when his nap is out." 

I gratefully accepted this unusual and unlooked-for 
interposition in my behalf, and after a short but most 
beneficial rest I succeeded in rejoining the general just 
after he had passed the road leading to Ashland. Here 
I learned that a squadron of the 2d Virginia Cavalry 
had encountered a body of the enemy in the town of 
Ashland, and had driven them from it with considerable 
loss. In this fight Lieutenant E. P. Hopkins, of the 1st 
Massachusetts Cavalry, son of Professor Albert Hopkins 
of Williams College, was killed. Stuart's march was 
now directed toward the Yellow Tavern, at the inter- 
section of the Telegraph and Old Mountain roads. As 
1 rode by his side we conversed on many matters of 
personal interest. He was more quiet than usual, 
softer, and more communicative. It seems now that 
the shadow of the near future was already upon him. 



412 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

He reached the Yellow Tavern at about ten o'clock, 
and found himself in advance of the enemy's column, 
and in full time to interpose between it and Richmond. 
Not knowing what troops were at the disposal of Gen- 
eral Bragg, he was uncertain whether to take position 
in front of the enemy or to remain on the flank of his 
march, near the Yellow Tavern. He preferred the 
latter course if he could be satisfied that there was 
sufficient force in Richmond to hold the trenches. To 
ascertain this he sent me to General Bragg. I was 
informed by General Bragg that he had irregular troops 
to the number of about four thousand, and that three 
brigades had been ordered from the army at Peters- 
burg, and were hourly expected. He thought he could 
hold the fortifications. On my return I found that the 
enemy held the Brook turnpike, south of the Yellow 
Tavern, and I was compelled to make a detour through 
the fields to avoid capture. This somewhat delayed 
me, and I did not reach Stuart until after two o'clock. 
He told me that a heavy fight had taken place during 
my absence. The enemy had attempted to drive him 
from the Telegraph Road, but had been repulsed, after 
a most desperate and hand to hand fight, by the sharp- 
shooters of Fitz Lee's brigade. The losses had been 
heavy. Among the killed was Colonel H. C. Pate, of 
the 5th Virginia Cavalry. Stuart spoke of the great 
gallantry he had exhibited under his own observation. 
He was pleased with the information I had brought 
from Richmond, and expressed the intention of retain- 
ing his position on Sheridan's flank, and the hope that, 
aided by a strong attack by the infantry in Richmond, 
he might be able to inflict serious disaster on the ene- 
my's cavalry. Thus we sat talking for more than an 
hour, near one of our batteries on the right of our line, 
north of Half-Sink. Wickham held the right, and 



EXTRACT FROM LETTER TO MRS. STUART. 413 

Lomax the left. Lomax's line extended along the 
Telegraph Road for a short distance, then crossed it to 
a hill on the left, where was posted a piece of artillery. 
Two guns were placed immediately in the road. The 
whole command was dismounted except a portion of 
the 1st Virginia Cavalry, which was retained as a 
mounted reserve. 

I quote the following passage from a letter which I 
wrote *to Mrs. Stuart soon after the general's death, 
which was published, by her authority, in the sev- 
enth volume of the " Southern Historical Society Pa- 
pers : — 

" About four o'clock the enemy suddenly threw a 
brigade of cavalry, mounted, upon our extreme left, 
attacking our whole line at the same time. As he al- 
ways did, the general hastened to the point where the 
greatest danger threatened, — the point against which 
the enemy directed the mounted charge. My horse 
was so much exhausted by my severe ride of the morn- 
ing that I could not keep pace with him, but Captain 
G. W. Dorsey, of company K, 1st Virginia Cavalry, 
gave me the particulars that follow. 

" The enemy's charge captured our battery on the 
left of our line, and drove back almost the entire left. 
Where Captain Dorsey was stationed — immediately on 
the Telegraph Road — about eighty men had collected, 
and among these the general threw himself, and by 
his personal example held them steady while the enemy 
charged entirely past their position. With these men 
he fired into their flank and rear as they passed him, 
in advancing and retreating, for they were met by a 
mounted charge of the 1st Virginia Cavalry and driven 
back some distance. As they retired, one man who had 
been dismounted in the charge, and was running out 
on foot, turned as he passed the general, and discharg- 



414 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

ing his pistol inflicted the fatal wound. When Captain 
Dorsey discovered that he was wounded he came at 
once to his assistance, and endeavored to lead him to 
the rear ; but the general's horse had become so restive 
and unmanageable that he insisted upon being taken 
down, and allowed to rest against a tree. When this 
was done Captain Dorsey sent for another horse. While 
waiting the general ordered him to leave him, and re- 
turn to his men and drive back the enemy. "He said 
he feared that he was mortally wounded, and could 
be of no more service. Captain Dorsey told him that 
he could not obey that order ; that he would rather sac- 
rifice his life than leave him until he had placed him 
out of all danger. The situation was an exposed one. 
Our men were sadly scattered, and there was hardly a 
handful of men between that little group and the ad- 
vancing enemy. But the horse arrived in time ; the 
general was lifted on to him, and was led by Captain 
Dorsey to a safer place. There, by the general's order, 
he gave him into the charge of private Wheatly, of his 
company, and returned to rally his scattered men. 
Wheatly procured an ambulance, placed the general in 
it with the greatest care, and, supporting him in his 
arms, he was driven toward the rear. I was hastening 
toward that part of the field where I had heard that 
he was wounded when I met the ambulance. The 
general had so often told me that if he were wounded 
I must not leave the field, but report to the officer next 
to him in rank, that I did not now presume to disregard 
his order, and the more so because I saw that Dr. Fon- 
taine, Venable, Garnett, Hullihen, and several of his 
couriers were attending him. I remained with General 
Fitz Lee until the next morning;, when he sent me to 
the city to see General Bragg, and I thus had an oppor- 
tunity to spend an hour with my general." 



STUART MORTALLY WOUNDED. 415 

As he was being driven from the field he noticed the 
disorganized ranks of his retreating men, and called 
out to them : — 

" Go back ! go back ! and do your duty, as I have 
done mine, and our country will be safe. Go back ! 
go back ! I had rather die than be whipped." 

These were his last words on the battle-field, — words 
not of idle egotism, but of soldierly entreaty. The 
shadow that for days had hung over his joyous, earnest 
life was deepening with the mist from out the dark 
valley, and ere the chill night closed in he would once 
again urge to effort, once again cheer to the charge, 
the comrades he had loved and led so well. But a few 
months later came the answering echo from the lips of 
his great commander, who would gladly have shared 
with him a soldier's grave, " My men, I have done my 
best for you." 

While yet in the ambulance Dr. Fontaine and Lieu- 
tenant Hullihen turned the general over on his side, in 
order that an examination of the wound might be 
made. While this was in progress he spoke to Hulli- 
hen, addressing him by the pet name which he usually 
employed : — 

" Honey-bun, how do I look in the face ? " 

" General," replied Hullihen, " you are looking right 
well. You will be all right. ' 

" Well," said he, " I don't know how this will turn 
out ; but if it is God's will that T shall die I am 
ready." 

In order to avoid the enemy, who now held full pos- 
session of the Brook turnpike, it was necessary for 
the ambulance to make a wide detour to reach Rich- 
mond, and it was some time after dark when the gen- 
eral arrived at the residence of his brother-in-law, Dr. 
Charles Brewer. The long ride caused him great suf- 



416 MAJOR-GENERAL J. E. B. STUART. 

fering. On the morning of the 12th, after delivering 
General Fitz Lee's message to General Bragg, I re- 
paired to the bedside of my dying chief. He was calm 
and composed, in the full possession of his mind. Our 
conversation was, however, interrupted by paroxysms 
of suffering. He directed me to make the proper dis- 
posal of his official papers, and to send his personal 
effects to his wife. He then said : — 

" I wish you to take one of my horses and Venable 
the other. Which is the heavier rider ? " 

I replied that I thought Venable was. 

" Then," said he, " let Venable have the gray horse, 
and you take the bay." 

Soon he spoke again : — 

" You will find in my hat a small Confederate flag, 
which a lady of Columbia, South Carolina, sent me, 
with the request that I would wear it upon my horse 
in a battle and return it to her. Send it to her." 

I was at loss how to interpret these instructions ; for 
I had never seen any such decoration upon his hat. 
But upon examining it the flag was found within its 
lining, stained with the sweat of his brow ; and among 
his papers I found the letter which had conveyed the 
request. 

Again he said : " My spurs which I have always 
worn in battle I promised to give to Mrs. Lilly Lee, of 
Shepherdstown, Virginia. My sword I leave to my 
son." 

While I sat by his side the sound of cannon outside 
the city was heard. He turned to me eagerly and in- 
quired what it meant. I explained that Gracy's bri- 
gade and other troops had moved out against the en- 
emy's rear on the Brook turnpike, and that Fitz Lee 
would endeavor to oppose their advance at Meadow 
Bridge. He turned his eyes upward, and exclaimed 



THE DEATH OF STUART. 417 

earnestly, " God grant that they may be successful." 
Then turning his head aside, he said with a sigh, — 

" But I must be prepared for another world." 

The thought of duty was always uppermost in his 
mind ; and after listening to the distant cannonading 
for a few moments, he said : " Major, Fitz Lee may 
need you." I understood his meaning, and pressed his 
hand in a last farewell. 

As I left his chamber President Davis entered. Tak- 
ing the general's hand, he asked : " General, how do 
you feel? " 

He replied : " Easy, but willing to die, if God and 
my country think I have fulfilled my destiny and done 
my duty." 

The Rev. Mr. Peterkin visited him, and prayed with 
him. He requested Mr. Peterkin to sing " Rock of 
Ages," and joined in the singing of the hymn. 

During the afternoon he asked Dr. Brewer whether 
it were not possible for him to survive the night. The 
doctor frankly told him that death was close at hand. 

He then said : " I am resigned if it be God's will ; 
but I would like to see my wife. But God's will be 
done." 

Again he said to Dr. Brewer : "I am going fast 
now ; I am resigned ; God's will be done." 

And thus he passed away. 

27 



APPENDIX. 



REPORTS OF BRIGADIER-GENERAL B. H. ROBERTSON, C. S. ARMY, 
COMMANDING BRIGADE, OF ENGAGEMENT AT BRANDY STA- 
TION. 

Headquarters Cavalry Brigade, June 12, 1863. 

Major : — On 9th instant, according to orders, my brigade pro- 
ceeded to within two miles of Kelly's Ford to check the enemy's ad- 
vance upon the railroad, near which our forces were engaged. I dis- 
mounted a portion to oppose the enemy's infantry in the woods. The 
enemy's cannon had just opened when several orders were received 
to fall back rapidly to Brandy Station, the Yankees being in my 
rear. 

I had reported their advance upon Stevensburg and Brandy, and 
was ordered, through Lieutenant Johnston, to hold the ground in my 
front. One regiment of my brigade was then ordered to move rapidly 
to the general's headquarters. The other was instructed to cover the 
right and rear of Hampton's brigade. Both regiments were subse- 
quently drawn up in line of battle to repel the advance of the enemy's 
columns, which finally moved to the left. One of my regiments was 
then ordered in that direction. I accompanied it, and, in accordance 
with instructions, deployed it as skirmishers to hold that wing until 
reinforcements should arrive. The other regiment remained with 
Hampton. 

My command, although opposed to the enemy during the entire 
day, was not at any time actively engaged. Will make a detailed 
report. Very respectfully, 

B. H. Robertson, 
Brigadier- General Commanding Cavalry. 

Major H. B. McClellan, 

Assistant Adjutant- General, Sfc. 

Headquarters Cavalry Brigade, June 13, 1863. 
Major: — In answer to yours just received, I have the honor to 
make the following statement : — 




APPENDIX. 419 

About two miles this side of Kelly's Ford, at Brown's house, I 
think, I met Captain White falling back from his picket line. He re- 
ported that five regiments of infantry and a large amount of cavalry 
had crossed the river, and were slowly advancing towards the railroad. 
Just then the enemy's line of skirmishers emerged from the woods, 
and I at once dismounted a large portion of my command and made such 
disposition of my entire force as seemed best calculated to retard their 
progress. I immediately sent scouting parties to my right, and went 
forward myself to ascertain what was transpiring there. I soon 
learned that the enemy was advancing upon the Brandy Station road, 
and despatched Captain Worthington with the information. Soon 
afterwards the enemy was reported marching upon Stevensburg in 
large force. I ordered Lieutenant Holcombe to report the fact to the 
major-general commanding, who informed me that a force had been 
sent to Stevensburg, and that troops were at Brandy Station. Before 
receiving this message I had contemplated making an attack in rear 
should it meet the general's approval. I therefore sent Lieutenant 
James Johnston to report to General Stuart, who sent me orders to 
hold my front. A division of my force was impossible, as I needed 
them all. 

I consider it extremely fortunate that my command was not with- 
drawn from the position it occupied (which was a very strong one), as 
the enemy's force, consisting of infantry, artillery, and cavalry, were 
marching directly upon the right flank of our troops engaged in front 
of Rappahannock Station. I had not force sufficient to hold in check 
(and it was vitally important to do so) this body, and at the same time 
follow the flanking party. All the facts may be summed up as fol- 
lows : Before my arrival the enemy's cavalry had turned off to the 
points upon which they intended to march. They had posted artil- 
lery, cavalry, and infantry so as to cover this movement, or if unop- 
posed march upon the railroad. Had I pursued the flanking party, 
the road I was ordered to defend would have been left utterly ex- 
posed. I acted according to orders and the dictates of judgment. 

I came to this army resolved that my official conduct should meet 
the approbation of my military superiors, and whenever in their opin- 
ion I deserve censure I shall most cheerfully submit to official investi- 
gation. Very respectfully, major, ' 

Your obedient servant, 

B. H. Robertson, 
Brigadier- General Commanding Cavalry. 

Major H. B. McClellan, 

Assistant Adjutant- General, Headquarters Cavalry Division. 



420 APPENDIX. 

[Indorsement.] 
IIeadquarters Cavalry Division, June 15, 1863. 
Respectfully forwarded. It is very clear that General Robertson 
intended to do what was right. At the time Lieutenant Johnston re- 
ported to me it was too late for any movement to have been made 
from General Robertson's front, and it would have been extremely 
hazardous for him to have interposed his command between the ene- 
my's infantry and artillery and the column of cavalry that had already 
passed on his right flank. At the time he arrived on the spot it is 
presumed he could have made the detachment to get to the front of 
the Hanking column and delay its progress. 

J. E. B. Stuart, 

Major- General. 

Headquarters Cavalry Brigade, June 15, 1863. 

Major: — Early on the morning of the 9th instant Captain White, 
commanding outposts, reported the enemy crossing in force at Kelly's 
Ford with cavalry and infantry, three regiments of the latter having 
passed at the time this despatch was written. I immediately an- 
nounced this intelligence to the major-general commanding, and shortly 
afterwards received instructions to proceed with my command in that 
direction, to hold the enemy in check, and protect the right flank of 
our forces, then engaged between Rappahannock and Beverly fords. 
Another courier from Captain White informed me that five regiments 
of infantry, several regiments of cavalry with artillery, had crossed 
and were moving slowly up the river. I at once despatched this in- 
formation to headquarters. 

About two miles from Kelly's I met Captain White, and learned 
that the enemy was then occupying a piece of woods directly on our 
front. Dismounting a portion of my men and deploying them as skir- 
mishers, I made such disposition of the remainder as in my judg- 
ment would successfully resist the enemy's further advance. I then 
reconnoitred his position, and ascertained that some of his cavalry 
had gone in the direction of Brandy Station, which fact I commu- 
nicated to Major-General Stuart through Captain Worthington, of my 
staff. 

Upon further investigation I learned that several cavalry regiments 
had taken the road to Stevensburg via Willis Madden's, and reported 
the same through Lieutenant Holcombe, from whom I learned that a 
force to meet them had been sent in the directions above stated. I 
therefore determined to hold the ground in my front should the infan- 



APPENDIX. 421 

try attempt to advance upon the railroad, and placed my skirmishers 
behind an embankment (parallel to a ditch) to protect them from the 
artillery which had been opened from the woods. 

Soon after firing commenced I received orders to fall rapidly back 
towards Brandy, as the enemy was in my rear and had probably turned 
my left. When I reached the railroad I discovered on my right a con- 
siderable force of the enemy's infantry. At this point a courier from 
the major-general commanding directed me to advance rapidly with 
one regiment and report to him, as the enemy had possession of his 
headquarters. I selected the 63d, which was in front, and pushed 
rapidly forward, sending instructions to Colonel Ferebee to cover my 
rear and right. 

The enemy having retired before my arrival, I was ordered to sup- 
port General Hampton, who was making preparations to pursue. 
Soon afterwards, the enemy displaying a large force in our immediate 
front, apparently with the intention of attacking, I drew my two regi- 
ments up in line of battle and awaited his advance. His columns 
advancing to our left, one of my regiments was ordered in that direc- 
tion. I accompanied it and deployed it as skirmishers dismounted, 
to hold that end of the line in case it should be pressed. The other 
regiment I instructed to report to Brigadier-General Hampton. 

When General Lee was wounded I was ordered to command the 
left wing, and saw nothing more of my brigade. Although in sight 
of the enemy for many hours and exposed to the fire of his artillery, 
my command was not at any time actively engaged. With the excep- 
tion of four horses mortally wounded or totally disabled, I have no 
casualties to report. Very respectfully, major, 

Your obedient servant, 

B. H. Robertson, 
Brigadier- General Commanding Cavalry. 

Major H. B. McClellan, 

Assistant Adjutant- General, Headquarters Cavalry Division. 

[Indorsement.] 

Headquakters Cavalry Division Army of 
Northern Virginia, June 20, 1863. 
Respectfully forwarded to accompany my report of the battle of 
Fleetwood. The enemy having been reported moving by Madden's to 
Stevensburg, two regiments (2d South Carolina and 4th Virginia) 
were sent to the latter place, but a portion of the enemy was detached 
from this column and sent to Brandy, where, as at Fleetwood, they 
were soon routed by Jones' and Hampton's brigades. Nothing of any 



422 APPENDIX. 

value was at Brandy. My own headquarters' baggage having been 
sent off early to the rear, the place spoken of as my headquarters was 
a high hill (Fleetwood), where they had been, but had early in the 
day been transferred to the field, — everything packed and sent off. 
General Robertson's report appears satisfactory. 

J. E. B. Stuart, 

Major- General. 



ROLL OF THE SECOND REGIMENT VIRGINIA CAVALRY. 

REGIMENTAL BAND. 

George K. Lyman, Leader, Solo-alto. 
Charles H. Rau, E Flat Comet. 
Thomas Walker, 2d E Flat Cornet. 
Frank Myering, B Flat Comet. 
A. R. Edwards, First Tenor. 
James M. Edwards, Second Tenor. 
Hercy E. Carper, Second Alto. 
H. M. Harris, Bass. 
R. W. Thurman, Drum. 
Thomas Wilson, Cymbals. 

This was the only complete band from Virginia in the Cavalry Corps. It was supplied with a 
beautiful set of instruments captured near Haymarket from a New York regiment ; and was gen- 
erally well mounted, adding much to the spirit of the regiment, who were always proud of it. 

The 2d Regiment Virginia Cavalry, formerly the 30th Regiment Virginia Volunteers, was or- 
ganized at Lynchburg, Va., May 8, 1861, Col. J. A. Early mustering officer. This was the first 
mounted regiment organized in Virginia. When General J. E. B. Stuart organized the Cavalry 
after the first battle of Manassas, he made his regiment the 1st Virginia Cavalry, and this regi- 
ment was designated the 2d Virginia Cavalry. 

First Colonel, R. C. W. Radford, graduate of the U. S. Military Academy at West Point, com- 
manded the regiment during the first year of the war ; after the reorganization, com- 
manded cavalry in Floyd's army, Virginia forces. 

First Lieutenant-Colonel, Thomas T. Munford, elected without opposition at the reorganization 
to command the regiment. 

Second Colonel, Thomas T. Munford, Colonel of the regiment during the last three years of the 
war ; two thirds of the time commanding the brigade ; wounded slightly by a sabre-cut at 
second Manassas, and at Turkey Ridge, June 2, 18(34, by a spent grape shot. 

Second Lieutenant-Colonel, J. W. Watts, promoted at the reorganization from the captaincy of 
Co. A ; wounded severely by eight sabre-cuts at second Manassas ; wounded at Flint Hill 
and at Occoquan ; wounded at Aldie and permanently disabled ; honorably discharged ; as- 
signed to post duty at Liberty, Va. 

First Major, John S. Langhorne, promoted from captaincy of Co. B ; resigned. 

Second Major, A. L. Pitzer, promoted from captaincy of Co. C ; served on Gen. J. A. Early's 
staff after reorganization. 

Third Major, Cary Breckinridge, promoted at reorganization from captaincy of Co. C ; wounded 
in the face by sabre-cuts at second Manassas ; wounded at Opequan, September 20, 1864. 

Fourth Major, W. F. Graves, promoted from captaincy of Co. F ; wounded slightly at Mechan- 
icsville. 

Fifth Major, Thomas Whitehead, promoted from captaincy of Co. E ; disabled by wounds at Tre- 
villian's Depot. 

Third Lieutenant-Colonel, Cary Breckinridge, promoted to colonelcy. 

Fourth Lieutenant-Colonel, W. F. Graves. 

Third Colonel, Cary Breckinridge, twice severely wounded, with sabre-cut at second Manassas, 
and on the Opequan, near Winchester ; wounded in thigh October 29, 1864 ; captured at 
Kelly's Ford, Va., March 17, 1863 ; wounded at Raccoon Ford. 

First Adjutant, R. H. Banks, retired at the reorganization and promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel 
of 12th Virginia Cavalry, on the recommendation of Col. T. T. Munford. 

Second Adjutant, Lomax Tayloe, promoted for distinguished gallantry ; wounded at Shepherds- 
town and at Bristoe Station ; killed at Raccoon Ford. 

Third Adjutant, Jno. W. Tayloe, of Alabama, served as Major on Gen. D. H. Hill's staff ; pro- 
moted to General Munford's staff. 

Fourth Adjutant, Samuel Griffin, promoted for gallantry from Sergeant-Major ; twice wounded 
at Shepherdstown, August 16, 1865, and at Warrenton. 

First Assistant Surgeon, S. H. Meridith, promoted from Lieutenant of Co. C, transferred and 
died. 

Second Assistant Surgeon, W. H. Bowyer, transferred to battery and died in service. 

Third Assistant Surgeon, Wm. B. Davies, promoted from Orderly Sergeant, Co. E ; killed at 
Hartwood Church, Va. (Stafford Co.), February 26, 1863. 

Fourth Assistant Surgeon, John H. Nelson, promoted from the ranks of Co. G, and killed at Rac- 
coon Ford. 

Fifth Assistant Surgeon, Wm. H. Peake, died at Williamsport, Md. 

Sixth Assistant Surgeon, James Roan. 



424 



APPENDIX. 



Seventh Assistant Surf/eon, W. H. Shackleford, promoted from the ranks of Co. K. 

First Quartermaster, W. H. Trent, promoted from Co. H, Captain and A. Q. M. 

First Commissary, Albert McDaniel, Captain and A. Q. M., promoted to Brigade Q. M., with 

rank of Major. 
First Sergeant-Major, Wm. Steptoe, promoted from Co. G for distinguished gallantry ; promoted 

to captaincy of company B. 
Second Sergeant-Major, John Fulks, promoted from ranks of Co. A for gallantry ; twice wounded 

at second Manassas and at Aldie ; permanently disabled and retired. 
Third Sergeant-Major, R. T. Watts, promoted for gallantry from the ranks of Co. A ; promoted 

to adjutancy of White's battalion on recommendation of Colonel Munford. 
Fourth Sergeant-Major, W. J. Holcombe, promoted to A. D. C. on staff of Brigadier-General 

B. H. Robertson. 
Fifth Sergeant-Major, Samuel Griffin, promoted for distinguished gallantry ; wounded at second 

Manassas, Shepherdstown, and Cunningham's Ford ; promoted to adjutancy. 
First Color-Sergeant, Lomax Tayloe, promoted for gallantry to Sergeant-Major. 
Second Color-Sergeant, H. D. Yancey, was killed at Spottsylvania, May 9, 18G4 ; volunteered to 

carry flag on that day. 
Third Color-Sergeant, James E. Tucker, promoted for distinguished gallantry ; wounded at Aldie, 

June 17, 1S63, and at Spottsylvania, May 9, 1SG4. 
Fourth Color-Sergeant, J. T. Morgan (state flag) ; a gallant lad full of dash. 
First Commissary Sergeant, C. H. Almond, promoted for distinguished gallantry to lieutenancy 

of Co. G. 
First Q. M. Sergeant, Francis Merriweather. 
Farrier, F. Williams, Co. I. 

Chief Blacksmiths, VV. B. Bowyer, Barney Hughes, both faithful efficient men, always in place. 
First Bugler, J. H. Kasey, Co. G. ) ■& ., „ . , „ 
Second Bugler, Wm. Wilson. Co. F. | Both & allant feUows - 
Chaplain, W. W. Berry, resigned. 
Second (ha plain, R. H. McKim. 
Adjutants Clerk and Ordnance Officer, Maurice Guggenheimer, Co. C ; a most efficient and 

faithful officer, always ready to do his duty, and always in place. 
Adjutant's Clerk, T. P. Taylor, of Co. A, captured at Cedar Creek, October 19, 18G4 ; in prison 

till end of the war. 

ROLL OF COMPANY A. BEDFORD COUNTY. 

First Captain, Wm. R. Terry, promoted Colonel of 24th Virginia Infantry and Brigadier-General 
in Pickett's division. 

Second Captain, J. W. Watts, promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel ; wounded at second Manassas by 
eight sabre-cuts ; wounded and permanently disabled at Aldie, Va., June 17, 1SG3, and honor- 
ably retired to post duty. 

Third Captain, H. Clay Dickenson, captured at Meadow Bridge ; died since. 

1st Lieutenant, Walter Izzard, until reorganization ; retired ; promoted to Capt. Top. Eng. 

1st Lieutenant, Roet. C. Wilson, wounded at Bristoe Station, at second Manassas, and mortally 
wounded at High Bridge. 

1st Lieutenant, John W. Lowry, wounded slightly at Stevensburg, Va., October 11, 1863. 

2d Lieutenant, R. Hugh Kelso, wounded with five sabre-cuts at second Manassas ; mortally 
wounded at Yellow Tavern, May 11, 1864. 

2d Lieutenant, Abner N. Hatcher, mortally wounded at Tom's Brook, October 9, 1864. 

2d Lieutenant, Thos. S. West. 

First Orderly Sergeant, Wm. C. Minnis, died in the service. 

1st Sergeant, Jno. M. Lowry, killed at Nance's Shop. 

Sergeant, Robt. H. Jeter, captured at Stanardsville, February 29, 1864. 

Sergeant, Thos. J. Alderson, captured near Stanardsville, February 29, 1864. 

Sergeant, Jos. A. Jones, captured near Stanardsville, February 29, 18G4. 

Sergeant, Jas. H. Hopkins. 

Sergeant, A. J. Woolfolk, killed at Brandy Station, June 9, 1863. 

Sergeant, Jno. Fulks, promoted to Sergeant-Major for gallantry ; wounded at second Manassas ; 
permanently disabled at Aldie, Va., June 17, 1S63, and honorably discharged. 

Sergeant, Ben. A. Ferrell, wounded near Front Royal, September 21, 1864. 

PRIVATES. 

Arrlngton, J. H., wounded. 

Arrington, Wm. 

Ballard, C. J. 

Bell, F. H. 

Bower, C. A., promoted. 

Bower, Jas. R. 

Bridges, Hardago, killed near Berryville, August 20, 1864. 

Brown, Saul E., wounded, June 9, 1863, at Brandy Station. 

Buford, J. B., detailed by special orders, Hdqrs. A. N. Va. 

Caddle, John, wounded at Spottsylvania, May 8, 1864. 

Camefix, Wm. A., killed at Mount Jackson, November 22, 1864. 

Clay, Calhoun G., killed May 8, 1864, Spottsylvania. 

Clay, Chas. E., captured near Mt. Jackson. 

Clay, Clinton, wounded at Hawes' Shop. 

Clay, J. P., wounded slightly. 

Clemens, Chas. R., wounded. 



ROLL OF SECOND VIRGINIA CAVALRY. 425 



Clemens, Jno. W. 

Clenkenbeard, Jno. 

Cofer, .) 

Cofer, Richard. 

Coleman, Nii holas, killed at Stevensburg, October 11, 1863. 

Coleman, Wm. C. 

Creasy, Chas. H. 

Davis, Thos. E., promoted A. T>. C, staff of Gen. Floyd. 

Dickenson, Jno. Q., captured at Stanardsville, February 29, 1864. 

Dooley, C. B., wounded at Aldie, June 17, 1863; honorably discharged. 

Downey, G. B. 

Elliott, Milton. 

Evil.] it. Z \V., wounded August 26, 1863, Bristoe Station. 

EWIN. MlIVHF.LL A. 

Falls, Geo. W., killed at Stevensburg, October 11, 1863. 

Feruell, Jno. E., wounded May 8, 1864, Spottsylvania. 

Franklin, Jno. E., wounded May, 8, 1864, Spottsylvania. 

Freeman, Stephen, died in 1861. 

Fuqua, Geo. W., killed at first Manassas. 

Fuqua, Martin L. 

Gill, Asa. 

Goode, Heber, M. D., promoted to Asst. Surgeon in infantry. 

Goode, Jno., Jr., elected M. C Confederate States. 

Harris Frank, wounded at Mt. Jackson, November 22, 1864. 

Harris, Jas. \V., put in a substitute. 

Harris, Thos. E., wounded at Stevensburg, October 11, 1863. 

Hatcher, James W. 

Hatcher, Jno. A., died in 1861. 

Hodgers, Benj. 

Hopkins, Jas. 

Hopkins, Jno. A. 

Howard, Thos. H., captured near Stanardsville. 

HUDDLESTON, P. L. 

Hdddleston, Wm. C, discharged as unfit for service. 

Hurt, David L., wounded. 

Hurt, Jno. 

Hurt, Robt., died in 1862. 

Jones, Robt. A. 

Joplin, Benj., wounded at Warrenton Springs, 1862. 

Joplin-, Jos. B., woimded. 

Joplin', Jos. C. 

Eearns, M. 

Lax, Jno. W., wounded at Tom's Brook, October 9, 1864. 

Little, Jno. H. 

Lowry, Chas. B., discharged. 

Lowry, C. V. 

Lucas, Calvin, transferred to infantry. 

Lucas, Creed, transferred to infantry. 

Luck, Edward. 

Luck, Julius. 

McGeehee, Wm. G., wounded at Yellow Tavern. 

Mead, Jno. \\\, killed at Fort Kennon, called also Fort Powhatan. 

Mead, O. G., wounded at second Manassas. 

Mead, Ro 

Mead, Wm. 

Mitchell, Chas. F... discharged. 

Mitchell, R. D., captured near Stanardsville, February 29, 1864. 

Moseley, H. W., wounded. 

Moseley, Wm. H., wounded at Spottsylvania, May 6, 1864. 

Nance. Wm. P. 

Nei.ms, Dandrige, captured at Stanardsville. 

- ,i i I\, del tiled as Brigade Ordnance Sergeant. 
Nelms. Thos, P., captured near Stanardsville, February 29, 1864. 
Nicholas, Wm. S., killed at Meadow Bridge, May 11, 1864. 

C. F. 
Noell, Jas. M. 

NOELL, J. R. 

Noell, Jno. C, discharged. 

Nolle. M. B., died in 1862. 

N..i 1 1 . Thos. B., captured at Stanardsville, February 29, 1864. 

Noell, Thos. T... killed at second Mmassas. 

Noell, Thos. E. (the second), captured at Stanardsville. 

Noell, Wm. L. 

Oti v, Wm. 1)., died. 

Ovekstkeet, Richd. 

Owen, Nicholas, died in 1861. 

Page, Thos. Mann, M. D., died in 1861. 

Poindexter. J. W. i 

Pollard, Jas. 11., died. 



426 



APPENDIX. 



Pollard, Jas. H., butcher of the regiment. 

Pollard, Jno, M., butcher of the regiment. 

Powell, Jno. E., wounded at High Bridge, April, 1865. 

Richardson, Clinton C, wounded. 

Rusher, Burnett, killed at Warrenton Springs, 1862. 

Saunders, Lownes, wounded at Bristoe Station, August 26, 1863 ; and killed at Namegine Creek, 

April, 18G5. 
Shrewsbury, Wm., detailed. 
Smith, Roet., transferred. 
Smith, Wm. H., died. 
Thomas, Rufus, wounded at Oak Shade. 
Thomas, S. M. 

Turpin, Caswell, wounded at first Manassas. 
Turpin, Wm. L. 

Watson, Benj., killed at second Manassas ; buried in the same grave with Thos. E. Noell. 
Watson, Bennet O. 
Watson, B. R. 
Watson, Jas. A. 
Watson, Owen B., wounded. 
Watson, Wm. L., wounded at second Manassas. 
Watson, Wyatt, J., wounded at second Manassas. 
West, Robt. M., captured at New Town, May, 1862. 
West, Van Buren, killed at Tom's Brook, October 9, 1864. 
Wheat, F. L. 

Wheat, L. C, killed at Mt. Jackson, November 22, 1864. 
Wilkenson, H. C. 
Wilkenson, Wm. O. 

Williamson, Wm. CallahUlL, wounded at second Manassas, and at Catlett's Station. 
Wilson, Jno. 
Wilson, Wm. L. 

Wingfdsld, Wm. H., wounded at Brandy Station, June 9, 1863. 
Wood, Lewis H. 
Woolfork, A. G., killed. 
Wright, Jas. E. 
Wright, Jno. M. 
Wright, Jno. W. 

Wright, S. C, died in service at Berryville. 

Wright, Wm. M., severely wounded at Front Royal, August 21, 1864. 
Watts, R. T., promoted Adjutant, Major White's battalion. 

ROLL OF COMPANY B. WISE TROOP, LYNCHBURG CITY. 

Detailed for a long time for service with Lieutenant-Geueral James Longstreet. Company A, 
1st Maryland Cavalry, served in the 2d Regiment during its absence. 

First Captain, John S. Langhorn ; promoted to Major ; resigned. 

Second Captain, Charles M. Blackford ; reelected at reorganization ; promoted to Judge Ad- 
vocate of Longstreet's corps, A. N. Va. 

Third Captain, George B. Horner ; killed at Hartwood Church, February 26, 1863. 

Fourth Captain, Wm. Steptoe ; promoted from Sergeant-Major for distinguished gallantry ; 
wounded at Yellow Tavern. 

Acting Captain, Gllmer Breckinridge ; assigned as Captain in absence of all commissioned offi- 
cers, who were wounded ; promoted from Color-Sergeant for distinguished gallantry ; killed 
at Fort Kennon. 

1st Lieutenant, Charles M. Blackford ; acting Adjutant at Lynchburg ; promoted to Captain. 

2d Lieutenant, Van. K. Otey ; retired from field service ; promoted to provost duty ; in command 
at Lynchburg ; died in service. 

Brev . 2d Lieutenant, Wm. H. Stratton ; retired at reorganization, returned to the ranks, and was 
killed as a private soldier in Spottsylvania Co., May 5, 1864. 

2d Lieutenant, A. D. Warwick ; resigned : joined battery. 

2d Lieutenant, Jno. Alexander ; captured and remained in prison. 

2d Lieutenant, Jno. O. Thornhh.l , shot through the body at Aldie, June 17, 1863 ; wounded at 
Todd's Tavern, July 7, 1864. 

Brev. 2d Lieutenant, J. P. Robertson ; lost an arm at Aldie, June 17, 1863 ; wounded at Buck- 
land. 

Lieutenant, R. B. Isbell ; wounded at Todd's Tavern, May 9, 1863 ; and at Spottsylvania Court 
House, July, 1864. 

First Orderly Sergeant, Wm. Langhorne ; discharged. 

1st Sergeant, Robt. W. Lacy. 

2d Sergeant, E. G. Scott. 

2d Sergeant, Jno. S. Massie ; wounded at Shepherdstown. 

3d Sergeant, A. S. Watson. 

Uh Sergeant, Wm. B. Cross ; killed near Berryville, August 21, 1864. 

Sergeant, M. B. Langhorne ; transferred and promoted. 

Sergeant, C. Christian ; discharged. 

Sergeant, James Chalmers ; killed near Annandale, September 30, 1861. 

Sergeant, Jno. T. Lucket ; discharged in 1862 ; recommended for promotion. 

Corporal, S. M. Alexander; captured at Shepherdstown ; when exchanged, joined Mosby, 

Corporal, C. V. Danohob. 

Corporal, F. M. Stone. 



ROLL OF SECOND VIRGINIA CAVALRY. 427 



Abbott, J. P., killed at Buekettsville, Md., September 14, 1862. 

Akers, E. A., captured at Meadow Bridge, May 11, 18C4. 

Alexander, E. A., killed at Meadow Bridge, May 11, 1864. 

Allen, T. W., wounded at Fort Powhatan, sometimes called Fort Kennon, on James River, 

Charles City County, Va., May 14, 1864. 
Barnes, A. J., assigned as courier to Gen. J. E. B. Stuart ; very efficient. 
Babnes, E. F. 
Bays, Jno. R. 
Berkley, Joseph. 

Bibb, Jno. R., wounded April 6, 1865, at High Bridge on retreat from Petersburg. 
Bolllng, W. R., discharged in 1862, since died. 
Bowman, N. B. 

Boyd, Andrew, wounded at Spottsylvania Court House, May 8, 1864. 
Boyd, James, discharged in 1864. 

Bradley, Wm., killed at Spottsylvania Court House, May 7, 1864. 
Brook: St. George T., wounded at Fort Powhatan, May 14, 1864 ; permanently disabled at Hawes' 

Shop, May 28, 1864. The bravest of the brave. 
Browning, C. P., discharged July 14, 1863. 
Browning, Jno., killed at Brandy Station, June 9, 1863. 
Callahan, J. E., captured at Tom's Brook, October 9, 1864. 
Carnepix, E. M. 

Cabuthebs, Jas., courier ; discharged. 
Clay, D. C, transferred to Co. A. 
Coles, Jno. 
Cox, Jno. C. 

Cox, P. S., detailed as forage-master. 
Cox, Saml., discharged. 
Cox, Thad. 
Crumpton, Robt. 

Dameron, C D., discharged on account of bad health. 
Dobyns, Joseph, died in service at Spottsylvania Court House, 1863. 
Dunnington, V. G., discharged in 1862 to fill office of City Treasurer, Lynchburg, Va 
Early, S. H., promoted to A. D. C, Gen Early's staff. 
Edwards, J. E. 
Edwards, J. T., detailed. 
Edwards, W. P. M. 
Eubank. W. E. J. 
Everett, H. B., discharged. 
Fariss, J. 
Flemming, F. W. 

Flood, Thos. W., died in service, 1861. 
Floyd, Chas. A., kiUed in 1864. 
Godsey, F. M. 

Green, Chas., transferred to battery. 
Green. Jno. L., discharged in 1862. 
Hammerling, C. D., discharged in 1862. 
Holley, W. E., discharged in 1862. 
Hunt. H. C, discharged in 1862. 
Ingram, J. R., discharged in 1862. 
Irvine. W. A., discharged in 1862. 
Jones, Jno. W., discharged in 1862. 
Kasey. J. B., discharged in 1862. 
Kefauver. Wm. 
Kemper. Hugh, killed in 1862. 

Kinnier, Geo. A., wounded at Cold Harbor, May 31, 1864. Splendid soldier. 
Kinnier. Jno. A., wounded at Nance's Shop, June 24, 1864, in arm and foot. 
Kinnier, Wm. 

Langhorne, J. Kent, killed near Brandy Station, June 9, 1863 ; his first figh 
Lawson, Jos., captured at Meadow Bridge, May 11, 1864. 
Lawson, S. M., Color-Sergeant; state flag., 
Leake, F. M. 

Leman, A. H., deserted while on picket-post, March, 1865. 
Lewis, Jno. C, courier. 
Lock, Daniel. 

Love. A. D., wounded at Cold Harbor. 
Love, S. A. 
Love, T. H. 
Lucado, Wm. F. 

Luck, Henry, killed at Spottsylvania Court House, May 17, 1864. 
Mays, C. J., wounded at Brandy Station, June 9, 1863. 
Mays, C. Richd., wounded at Stanardsville, February 29, 1864. 
Mays. H. H.. died in 1863. 
McCorkle, S. M., discharged. 

Merriweather, C. J., put in a substitute who deserted the same day. 
Mitchell, J. E. 
Moore, Sampson, wounded near Cold Harbor, May 31, 1864. 



428 



APPENDIX. 



Morgan, J. H. 

Norvill, Chas., promoted to Captain in another command. 

Oftendinger, Herman, left at the end of his enlistment. 

Palmer, C. P., trausierred ; died in prison. 

Perceval, Geo., discharged. 

Perrigo, Geo., deserted from the enemy; afterward captured. 

Perriman, Wm. P., deserted. 

Pettyjohn, S. W., deserted while on picket-post at Mechanicsville, March, 1865. 

Phelphs, J. C. W , enlisted from Albemarle Co., Va. 

Purvis, W. C, enlisted from Albemarle Co., Va. 

Read, J no. A. 

Roberts, H. T., captured March 1, 1S63. 

Rucker, James G., deserted while on picket-post at Mechanicsville, March, 1865. 

Sale, J. E., discharged in 1802. 

Seaburry, E. C. 

Seaburry, R. M., wounded at first Manassas. 

Seaburry, W. J., wounded at Meadow Bridge, May 12, 1864. 

Sherrar, Jno. C, mortally wounded at Meadow Bridge, May 12, 1864. 

Smith, Jno. Thos., discharged ; recommended for promotion. 

Smith, Wm. N. 

Sneed, S. Emmitt. 

Spencer, W. R. 

Stone, Erank. 

Sullevan, Dennis, discharged as over age. 

Sumter, S. R., wounded at Falls Church, September, 1861 

Taylor, Jno. O., discharged in 1862. 

Taylor, O. P., wounded at first Manassas. 

Taylor, Thos. P., captured at Cedar Creek, October 19, 1864. 

Thurman, Alexander. 

Thurman, Powhatan. 

Toler, W. D. 

Tucker, Willis, captured at Meadow Bridge, May 12, 1864. 

Tyree, Richd., accidentally killed at Fredericsburg, 1863. 

Wall, Thomas, died in service, 1862. 

Watson, W. H., deserted while on picket-post, March, 1865. 

Whitlow, W. H. 

Witt, J. C. 

Woodruff, A. M., put in a substitute (Jno. A. Keef), who deserted. 

Wright, J. L. 

ROLL OF COMPANY C. BOTETOURT COUNTY. 

First Captain, Andrew L. Pitzer ; retired at reorganization. 

Second Captain, Cary Breckinridge ; promoted Major, Lieutenant-Colonel, and Colonel ; wounded 
at second Manassas by sabre-cut in face ; captured when leading a charge at Kelly's Ford, 
March 17, 1863 ; wounded at Raccoon Ford ; wounded at Opequan, September 20, 1804. 

Third Captain, James Breckinridge ; commanded the sharpshooters of the regiment ; his gal- 
lantry and dash were universally recognized as second to no officer in the command ; killed 
at Five Forks, April 1, 1865. 

1st Lieutenant, Richd. H. Barks : promoted Adjutant of regiment ; after the reorganization was 
promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel of 12th Virginia Cavalry, upon recommendation of Col. T. T. 
Munford, by order of Gen. T. J. Jackson. 

1st Lieutenant, Cary Breckinridge ; promoted to captaincy. 

1st Lieutenant, Edward Bkaugh ; wounded at Shepherdstown, July 10, 1863 ; shot through the 
body at Spottsylvania, May 7, 1864 ; returned to his command and served with great credit 
to the end of the war. 

1st Lieutenant, Saml. Meredith, M. D. ; promoted Assistant Surgeon ; died in service. 

2d Lieutenant, Wm. R. Price, retired after reorganization. 

2d- Lieutenant, Wm. Walton, wolmded with three sabre-cuts at second Manassas. 

2d Lieutenant, Edw. P. Haythe ; wounded twice. 

First Orderly Sergeant, Albert B. Pitzer ; detailed Sheriff of Botetourt County. 

Acting Orderly Sergeant, Robt. W. Reily ; served two years with credit ; then deserted to the 
enemy. 

Third Orderly Sergeant, James W. Biggs ; wounded at Sugar Loaf Mountain, Md., September 
8, 1802 ; and at Shepherdstown, July 15, 1804 ; an efficient, good soldier. 

2d Sergeant, Jno. A. Biggs ; captured at Kelly's Ford, March 17, 1863. 

3d Sergeant, J. H. Stephens. 

4th Sergeant, M. P. Linkenhoger ; wounded at Bridgewater, October 18, 1804 ; especially distin- 
guished at Leesburg, Va., leading a charge with Lieut. Davis of company E, who was killed. 

Blh Sergeant, C. W. Givens. 

1st Corporal, J. W. Brownlee; a faithful soldier. 

2d Corporal, W. M. Walton : captured. 

3d Corporal, J as. W. Denton ; wounded severely at Beverly's Ford. 

Sd Corporal, Oliver P. Gray ; discharged. 

3d Corporal, Wm. A. McClewer ; put in a substitute. 

3d Corporal, Wm. H. Garrett ; died in service. 



ROLL OF SECOND VIRGINIA CAVALRY. 429 



Alexander, James. 

Amman, Marcus, wounded severely at second Manassas by four sabre-cuts; transferred, 
i ro. T., discharged. 

Bell, J. B. 

BlSH <\\ M. E., wounded at Tom's Brook, October 9, 18G4. 

BlSH ip, N. W., captured at Kelly's Ford, March 17, 18U3: wounded at Todd's Tavern, May 7, 
1864. 

Bonduuant, R. K., discharged as unfit for service. 

Bowyer, George S. 

Bowyer, Wm. B., blacksmith ; a most efficient and faithful soldier, always at his post. 

Breckinridge, P. Gilmer, Captain iu 28th Virginia Infantry until reorganization; joined hia 
r brother's company as a private ; promoted to Color Bearer; for gallantry assigned 
to command Co. B ; killed at Fort Keunon on May 24, ltiG4, having mounted the parapet 
when he fell. 

Brush, Benj., discharged. 

Cahoon, C. C, wounded severely at Gaines' Cross Roads, May, 1S63. 

Camper, G. B., wounded at Jack's Shop, 1804. 

Carper, Hercey E., Bugler. 

Carper, T. J. 

Carrjll, E. L. 

Cooke, W. H. 

Craddock, W. D., killed at Berryville, August 19, 1864. 

Craddock, W. J. 

Dashier, Jno. L., killed at Sh3pherdstown, July 16, 1863. 

Denton, James, wounded at Fort Kennon, May 24, 1S64. 

Dolman, M. P., wounded at Bsverly's Ford, June 9 ; wounded at Aldie, June 17, 1863. 

Driscoll, Jno., captured at Gettysburg, July 3, 1863. 

Figgatt, J. H. H., promoted to Sergeaut-Major, and captaincy in 12th Virginia Cavalry , trans- 
ferred. 

Frazier, Charles. 

Garrett, J. C. , captured on scout near Fairfax C. H., took the oath, and was dismissed from Con- 
fe i rate service ; his exchange was effected and he returned to his regiment. 

Gilbert, J. O., wounded in face at second Manassas, badly hurt ; honorably discharged. 

Gilmer, G. W., twice severely wounded ; lost an eye at Gettysburg ; gallant fellow. 

Gilmer, Walker, transferred to Walker's Artillery. 

Givens, W. C, wounded at Todd's Tavern, May 8, 1864. 

Godwin, James, wounded at Spottsylvania, April 9, 1864. 

Godwin, Robinson, M. D., wounded ; promoted Assistant Surgeon. 

Griffin, Saml. "Tip," wounded at Shepherdstown, July 16, 1S63; wounded in face at Warren- 
ton ; promoted Ssrgeant-Major and Adjutant for distinguished gallantry. 

Griffin (Raff), Wingfield. 

Guggenheimer, Maurice, detailed as Adjutant's Clerk ; promoted Ordnance Officer for efficiency 
and general good conduct ; horse killed at Spottsylvania Court House. 

Hall, William. 

Hardwick, T. G. 

Harvey, W. M., put in a substitute who deserted. 

Hayltre, Geo. A., killed at Boousboro', Md., July 8, 18G3. 

Haythe, A. M. 

Hazlewood, Jno. A., captured at Gettysburg, July 3, 1S63. 

Henderson. Wm., transferred to Salem Artillery. 

Henkle, J. M. 

Hines, James C. 

Hines, Mikl. S., wounded at Shepherdstown, July 16, 1863 ; deserted in May, 1864. 

Hines, \. 

Hoffman, Frank, deserted, May, 1864. 

Hoover, Jacob. 

Houseman, J, T. 

Humes, II. J., wounded in foot ; deserted, May, 1864. 

Kale, E. C, captured at Kelly's Ford, March 17, 1863 : wounded at Tom's Brook, October 9, 
1864. 

Knode, G. W. , captured at Hawes' Shop ; died in prison. 

Kyle, July 3, 1863. 

Kyle. Ha lett, wounded at Fort Kennon, May 24, 1864. 

Kyle. Rufus P. 

i David. 

Lamb, Moses, deserted to the enemy. 

isferred to S-deni Artillery. 

Lemm >n, W. H., wounded at second Manassas. 

Linkenhoger, Jno. 

Loop, Jacob, cantured at Gettysburg, July 3, 1863. 
!. T... Busier; detailed. 

Mauww, Wm. M., captured near Flint Hill, July 17, 1861. 

Masks, Wm. P., wounded on picket ; permanently disabled. 

Mays, Josephus. 

Mays, J. T., cantured near Flint Hill, July 9, 1861. 

McChesney, Wm., died at Mt. Jackson, January, 1864. 



430 



APPENDIX. 



McClangherty, B. S 

McClewer, Jno. R., discharged. 

McClewer, Samuel, killed at Crampton's Gap, Md., September 14, 1862. 

McClewer, Thomas, put in a substitute who deserted. 

McCoy, J. M. , lost a leg at Mt. Mandian, 1864. 

McCreasy, J. W. 

McCue, Wm., detailed with General Longstreet ; promoted. 

Moody, Abe. 

Mullen, J. D. , wounded at Aldie, June 17, 1863 : wounded severely at Boonsboro', Md., July 8, 
1863. 

Niningeh, G. W., discharged. 

Obenchain, M. V. B. 

Oliver, Gelveeton N., killed at Tom's Brook, September 20, 1864. 

Paxton, Rufus, detailed as courier with General Longstreet. 

Payne, H. 0. , detailed at Camp Cripple. 

Peck, Benj. J., Corporal ; killed at Shepherdstown, July 16, 1863. 

Peck, Geo. H., died in service, May 23, 1864. 

Peck, Rufus H., captured at Kelly's Ford, March 17, 1863 ; was struck in face by Yankee 
officer while a prisoner. 

Peck, Wm. A. 

Peters, E. G., detailed as teamster at brigade headquarters. 

Peters, Jno. W., captured at Gettysburg ; died in prison at Fort Delaware. 

Pettigrew, L. B., detailed. 

Pitzer, D. S. 

Pitzer, F. T., killed January 14, 1864. 

Pitzer, J. A. 

Pitzer, J. B. 

Pitzer, J. F. 

Pitzer, M. P., transferred to Salem Artillery — Johnson's battery. 

Price, C. T., wounded at Louisa Court House, June 10, 1864. 

Price, Geo. A. , killed at Hartwood Church, April 6, 1863. 

Rader, W. R., captured at High Bridge, April 6, 1865, on retreat to Appomattox. 

Riely, Lewis, deserted to the enemy during Hunter's Raid, May, 1864. 

Riely, Samuel, killed at Funkstown, Md., June 10, 1863 ; a gallant fellow. 

Rineheart, W. R., wounded at Boonsboro', Md., July 8, 1S63 ; a gallant fellow. 

Robinson, Allen, captured on picket at Fairfax C. H. in 1861 ; took the oath and was dismissed 
from Confederate service ; an exchange was afterwards effected and he returned to his com- 
pany. 

Robinson, Jno. W., captured and died in prison at Point Lookout, 1864. 

Robinson, Joseph, died. 

Saunders, Jno. M., deserted to enemy on Hunter's Raid, 1864. 

Sears, Jno. H., wounded twice. 

Shafer, J. M. 

Shafer, Peteb. 

Shanks, James L. 

Shaver, Geo. 

Shaver, J no. N., wounded at Todd's Tavern, May 7, 1864. 

Snodgrass, Edward N., wounded at Millwood, October 20, 1864. 

Snyder, Charles. 

Spangler, C. D., wounded severely at Boonsboro', Md., July 8, 1863. 

Spears, C. C, killed at Leesburg, Va., September 2, 1862 ; full of dash. 

Staley, D. R., captured at Raccoon Ford ; a good soldier. 

Stanley, J. M., wounded at Todd's Tavern, May 8, 1864. 

Stevens, T. A. 

Stoner, K. B., transferred to artillery (Douthat's). 

Switzeh, C. P., wounded at Fort Kennon, May 24, 1864. 

Thrasher, J. Q. A. 

White, Alex., killed at Tom's Brook, September 20, 1864. 

White, Saml., captured at Fort Kennon, May 24, 1864. 

Whittle, Bev. Kennon, wounded at Tom's Brook, 9th September, and at Millwood, October 22, 
1864 ; a splendid soldier. 

WnxLAMS, W. W. 

Wood, P. W., discharged. 

Young, J. P., captured at Kelly's Ford, March 17, 1862. 

Young, J. R., discharged. 

Young, L. C. 

Zimmerman, George P., captured at Gettysburg, July 3, 1863. 

ROLL OF COMPANY D. FRANKLIN COUNTY. 

First Captain, G. W. B. Hale ; after reorganization on General Early's staff. 

Second Captain, T. B. Holland ; wounded at Kelly's Ford, March 17, 1863 ; mortally wounded, 

May 12, 1864. 
Third Captain, Marshall Watd ; wounded, June, 1864. 
J 1st Lieutenant, Wm. A. Parker ; wounded at second Manassas ; killed, March 29, 1863, at Jack's 

Shop, Orange County. 
1st Lieutenant, Moses S. Boothe ; killed at Nance's Shop, June 24, 1864. 
Acting Lieutenant, Thos. B. Davis ; mortally wounded at Tom's Brook, October 9, 1864. 



ROLL OF SECOND VIRGINIA CAVALRY. 431 

1st Lieutenant, S. H. Early. 

1st Lieutenant, J. R. Claiborne, until reorganization ; promoted to Major of Sweeney's bat- 
talion. 
2d Lieutenant, Thos. W. Creighead ; killed near Winchester, August 20, 1864. 
2d Lieutenant, M. IX Holland, until reorganization ; entered the ranks as a private. 
2d Lieutenant, C. H. Bush ; died in service. 
2<l Lieutenant, Littleton T. Meadow. 

Brie. 'Ill Lieutenant, CALLOWHILL M. ENGLISH. 

1st Sergeant, Benj. G. Garrett. 
2d Sergeant, K. Clenkexeel. 
2d Sergeant, M. F. Cunningham ; died in 1862. 

3d Sergeant, Jas. H. Meadow ; wounded at Raccoon Ford, October 11, 1863. 
Wh. G. Wilkinson. 

Company 'lun iter master-Sergeant, Robt. B. Meadow. 
, 2d ( 'arpural, Geo. N. Parker. l^Ctr^^t- "/ ■.' 4 A>V- 

3d Corporal, Jno. C. Harper ; wounded at Meadow Bridge, October 12, 1864. 
4th Corporal, Benj. P. Hancock ; wounded at Raccoon Ford, October 11, 1863. 



Abshire, James. 

Arrtngton, G. P., killed at Opequan, September 20, 1864. 

Atkerson, Joshua, disabled by disease after 1862. 

Basham, Daniel W., wounded at Aldie, June 17, 1863. 

Basham, Jos. H., died December 25, 1861. 

Basham, P. B., discharged for disease, 1862. 

Basham, Thos. T., mortally wounded at Brandy Station, June 9, 1863. 

Basham, Wm. W., discharged for disease, 1802. 

Bats, Daniel M. 

Bays, Wm. O., died in 1862. 

Benchelew, Jno. R., substitute for W. T. Meadow, wounded at Kelly's Ford, March 17, 1863. 

Bird, Edw. T., transferred to artillery, 1864. 

Bird, James L. 

Bird, Jos. A., sick from January, 1862. 

Bisd, Peter L., killed at Boonsboro', Md., 1862. 

BntD, Wiley A., retired from ill health. 

Bird, W. S. O. 

Board, Benj. F., wounded at Beverly, Rosser's Raid. 

Board. Saml. H. 

Board, Saml. M., died in August, 1863. 

Board, W. P. 

Booth, S. T. , captured in Pennsylvania in July, 1863 ; died in prison. 

Boroughs, J. W., killed at Kelly's Ford, March 17, 1863. 

Borroughs, J. B. , wounded at Gettysburg, July 3, 1863. 

Brown, J. W. H., died in October, 1861. 

Brown, Thomas H. 

Burrfll, Wm. A. , wounded at Nance's Shop, June 24, 1864. 

Burroughs, C. F., discharged August, 1862 ; reeulisted, captured, and died in prison. 

Burroughs, Edwd. P., transferred to 11th Virginia Infantry, 1864. 

Burroughs, B. N., wounded at Nance's Shop, June 24, 1864. 

Burroughs, Thos. R. 

Bush, Chas. Y., killed at Raccoon Ford, October 11, 1863. 

Bush, This. P. 

Calloway, A. Waiter. 

Calloway, Chas. II., killed at Spottsylvania C. H., May 7, 1864. 

Chapman. H. C, transferred from infantry, November, 1864. 

Chetwood, H. C, transferred from infantry, November, 1864. 

Cunningham, Geo. E. 

Cunningham, Geo. L., wounded near the Opequan, September 20, 1864. 

Dewey, Wm. B. 

Dillom, Wm. H., wounded May 11, 1864. 

Ddllow, Jacob. 

DrrEi:^. i '. Iff. 

Divers, Thos. C, wounded at Mt. Jackson, November 22, 1864. 

Divers, T. J. 

Dowdy, Wm. B. 

Dudley, Otey. 

Dytlee, Chas. S., wounded. 

Eanes, Thos. A. 

Edwards, J. S., wounded at Kelly's Ford, March 17, 1863. 

Ferguson, D. S., discharged for disease. 

Ferguson, D. W. 

Flrouson. Thos. B., discharged by substitute. 

Hamner, Wm. W. 

Hancock, J- C. 

Hancock, J. H. 

Hancock, W. D. , transferred to artillery. 

Hkfstenstall, Wm. B. 



432 



APPENDIX. 



Holland, Marcellas, discharged by substitute, February, 18C3. 
Holland, M. D., reeulisted March. 1864. 
Holly, Harrison, discharged by substitute, February, 1863. 
Holly, H. C. 

Hudson, Wm. M., captured at Flint Hill, May, 1862 j returned to command and was killed at 
Gattysburg, July 3, 1863. 

HuNNABASS, D. N. 

Hunnaeass, Jno., discharged in 1862. 
Hurt, Jno. G. 
Hurt, Wm. H. 

Hurt, Wm. M., discharged, June, 1862. 
Jammeson, Marshall, discharged by substitute, May, 1862. 
Jones, Thjs. T. 
Kimpleton, J. W. 

Lord, Jno., substitute for Ferguson, deserted the same day he enlisted. 
Manapee, Wm. A., killed at Tre vidian's Station, June 12, 1864. 
Martin, Jno. H., died, March, 1863. 
Martin, Saml. 
Martin, Silas. 

Matthews, Jas. L., captured at Flint Hill, 1862 ; returned to command ; was wounded at Bot- 
tom Bridge, June 3, 1864, permanently disabled and honorably retired. 
Mays, Wm. P., captured at Gettysburg, July 3, 1864 ; died in prison. 
McGuire, E. T. 
McNeal, J. E., blacksmith. 

Meador, E. J., wounded at Sharpsburg, transferred to artillery, 1864. 
Meador. J. A. 

Meador, W. T., discharged by substitute. 
Moore, S. P. 

Morgan, H. G., Corporal, killed at Beverly, W. Va., February, 1S65, Rosser's Raid. 
Morgan, Thos. W., wounded and captured at Gettysburg, July 3, 1863. 
Parker, D. W. 

Pasley, A. D., discharged by substitute, 1862. 
Pasley, C. T. 

Pasley, J. W., transferred to artillery, 1865. 
Pasley, Jerome, wounded at Front Royal, September 20, 1864. 
Pasley Lllburn, wounded at Front Royal, September 20, 1864. 
Pasley, R. D., transferred from infantry, December, 1862. 
Pasley, S. S., killed at Fankstown, Md., 1862. 
Perdue, Wythe H., disabled by disease. 
Persinger, H. S., transferred from artillery, 1864. 
Ptlcher, Jno., substituted for J. S. Taylor, deserted, 1863. 
Poindexter, Jno. 

Poindexter, Jno. W., shot himself, July, 1861, discharged. 
Poindexter, S. H. 
Powell, Jno. R. 

Powell, Wm. T., diseased and absent from 1863. 
Robertson, Thos. Bed, substitute for E. T. McGuire, 1863. 
Rucker, Jos. R., transferred to infantry, December, 1862. 
Saunderson, Jno. A. 
Simmons, Chas. 
Simmons, F. 

Smith, Jno. H., courier at headquarters. A most reliable soldier. 
Smith, Jno. P. 
Sowers, Jno. O. 

Starkey, Edw., wounded at Kelly's Ford, March 17, 1863; honorably retired. 
Starkey, Jno., died, March, 1863. 

St. Clair, W. W., wounded in four parts of his body, at Kelly's Ford, March 17, 1863. 
Stesar, Thos. H., released by age in 1862; teamster. 
Taylor, Jas. S., transferred from infantry, November, 1864. 
Torney, Wm. J., wounded at Brandy Station, June 9, 1863. 
Waid, Chas. W., killed near the Opequan, September 20, 1864. 
Waid, Edw., killed. 
Waid, Geo. W. 

Willard, Jno. W., died from disease, 1863. 
Williams, Abram. 

Williams, Pleasant B., transferred from infantry and deserted. 1864 
Wood. H. C, wounded at Beverly (Rosser's Raid), February, 1865. 
Wood, Silas. 
Wood, Wm. M. A. 
Wray, Jas. A. 
Wray, Wm. H. 

Wright, A. S., transferred to infantry, 1864. 
Wright, Jno. M., substitute for M. Holland, deserted. 
Wright, O. P., substitute for A. D. Pasley, killed, October 11, 1863. 
Wright, Wm. R. 
Zell, Wm., transferred to artillery, 1864. 

Some of the best men in this company were unable to keep themselves mounted and had to be 
transferred. 



ROLL OF SECOND VIRGINIA CAVALRY. 433 



ROLL OF COMPANY E. AMHERST COUNTY. 

First Captain, Edgar Whitehead, retired at the reorganization. 

Second Captain, Thos. Whitehead, promoted to Major, severely wounded at Trevillian's Station. 

1st Lieutenant, \V. Valentine Rucker, retired at the reorganization. 

1st Lieutenant, Wm. P. Blanks, permanently disabled at Kelly's Ford, March 17, 18G3 ; lost an 

arm. 
1st Lieutenant, Thos. M. Waller, drowned at the bridge at Port Republic in the retreat from 

Cross Keys, Jackson's campaign. 
'Id Lieutenant, J. O. Da vies, killed at Leesburg, September 2, 18G2, in leading a charge. 
•J./ Lieutenant, H. B. Christian, retired ; killed in artillery. 
2d LieuU nani, James L. Jones, wounded at Winchester, September 19, 1SG4. 
2d Lieutenant, Saml. Kirkpatrick, horse killed at Raccoon Ford, October 11, 1863. 
1st Sergeant, Wm. R. Claibdbnb, wounded at second Manassas and at Trevillian's Station. 
1st Sergeant, Wm. B. Davtes, promoted to Assistant-Surgeon, killed at Hartwood Church. 
•Ji/ Sergeant, J. S. Figgatt, wounded at Cedar Creek. 

ant, D. N. Foster. 
Ath Sergeant, Jno. Thompson Brown. 
1st Corporal, A. McDonald, transferred; promoted. 

poral, Chas. E Watts, wounded at Steveusburg and at Todd's Tavern. 
3rf Corporal and C< Her muster-Sergeant, R. B. Stratton. 

4th Corporal, R. D. Barrett. 

PRIVATES. 

Akers, J. H., wounded and captured at Cedar Creek; died in prison. 

Armstrong, Wm., wounded at Todd's Tavern. 

Back, Wm., killed by F. Moss in Rappahannock County, Va. 

Baley, J. A., wounded April 9, 18G5, in the last charge. 

Batf.s, Jno. W., died, May 9, 1864. 

Beblf.r, A. R., wounded at Trevillian's Station ; captured at Jack's Shop. 

Blanks, J. A., captured at Kelly's Ford. 

Blunt, W. H. 

Brestner, Richd., captured 

Brooking, James, wounded at Beaver Dam, October 11, 1S63. 

Brooking, Jno. , killed at Jit. Jackson, November 22, 1864. 

Brown, Henry L. 

Brown, Jno. W., killed at Beaver Dam ; a gallant lad. 

Brown, R. M., wounded in the head, at Berryville. 

Cabell, L. B., wounded at second Manassas ; transferred. 

Cabell, Paul C, transferred. 

Cabell, W. H. 

Cash. Richard, drowned near Fredericksburg. 

Cheatwood, L. M. 

Chewning, Wm. R., transferred. 

Chiles, W. H., wounded at Todd's Tavern, May 6, 1863. 

Clad30rne, S. B., wounded at Beaver Dam, May 9, 1863. 

Coleman. Wm. A. 

Davies. R. H., wounded at Warrenton Springs, August 24, 1863. 

D\ vies. R. L., wounded at Spottsylvania, May 7, 1S63, and died from the wound. 

Davis, Wm., died of measles. 

Devine, B. F. 

Dillard, Joe. 

Douglas, hospital steward. 

Duvall. William Waller, transferred. 

Eismvn, Daniel, teamster. 

Kisman, George, killed at Spottsylvania C. H., May 7, 1863. 

Eubank, Jno. N., wounded at Spottsylvania C. H., May 9, 1863. 

El'BVNK, RlCHD. 

Eubank, Thos. 

Falls. J., wounded at Hawes' Shop, May 28, 1864. 

Farrer. 15. J., detailed. » 

Farrer, M. S., detailed. 

Fowls, J. Rollins. 

Ft/qua, J. W.. wounded at Stevensburg, October 11, 1863. 

Garland, B. C, transferred. 

Garland. M. H., detailed. 

Gibson, P. B. 

Gilbert, E. L., killed at Raccoon Ford, October 11, 1863. 

Gilbert, J. T. 

Goodrich, A. M., captured in Custer's Raid. 

Harrison, James, captured in Custer's Raid. 

Harrison, Lewis. 

Habjubon, W., transferred. 

Hawkins, Wm., killed at Trevillian's Station, June 11, 1863. 

Henderson, Wm., wounded accidentally at first Manassas, and in a charge during Custer's Raid. 

Hicks, M.. detailed in hospital. 

Higgbnbotham, Henry H. 

Higgenbotham, Pitt, killed at Hawes' Shop, May 28, 1864. 



434 



APPENDIX. 



Higgenbotham, Thos., wounded at Hawes' Shop, May 28, 1864. 

Hopkins, R. P. 

Hudson, R. M. 

Jordan, Jas. T. 

Jordan, Zack, died in service. 

King, James, put in as a substitute and deserted. 

Knight, M. H., wounded at Fort Kennon. 

Knight, P. M., wounded at Todd's Tavern, May 3, 1864. 

Landrum, B. W., wounded at Beaver Dam, May 9, 1864. 

Landruih, J. W., lost an arm at Cold Harbor ; promoted for gallantry. 

Litchford, Chas. 

Loving, Henry. 

McGinxis, T. W., killed at Mt. Jackson, November 22, 1864. 

Moss, Fayette, wounded at Blackburn's Ford ; killed W. Buck, a member of his company, and 

deserted. 
Myers, W. H , captured at Woodstock ; transferred. 
Parr, J. H., wounded. 
Petticolas, P. A. 
Pettit, E. H. 

Pettit, James, wounded at second Manassas, and again on Hunter's Raid ; captured at Woodstock. 
Pettit, W. H., killed near Spottsylvania C. H., May 5, 1863. 
Quinn, W. H. 
Rhodes, W. F. 

Robertson, J. M., wounded at Front Royal. 
Rucker, Booker, killed at Yellow Tavern. 
Rucker, G. T., wounded at second Manassas. 
Rucker, I. H., wounded at Hawes' Shop, May 28, 1864. 
Rucker, Marcellus, drowned in Robertson's River. 
Rucker, Paul, wounded at Hawes' Shop, May 28, 1S64. 

Rucker, W. R., wounded at Brandy Station, June 9, 1863, and at Fort Kennon, 
Sales, Alexander, wounded at Spottsylvania C. H. May, 8, 1864. 
Shelton, J. L., wounded at second Manassas. 
Shepherd, W. H., wounded at Kelly's Ford, March 17, 1863. 
Shotwell, E. L., wounded near Stanardsville, in Custer's Raid. 
Smith, Ambrose, teamster. 

Smith, George (of Campbell County), killed at Fort Kennon. 
Staples, J. B., wounded near Stanardsville in Custer's Raid. 
Talliaferro, Chas., wounded at Mt. Zion Church ; captured and died. 
Talliaferro, J. M. 
Talliaferro, R. M., transferred. 
Taylor, Jos. 
Taylor, Peter. 

Thomas, R. L., wounded at Dumfries and captured. 
Thompson, J. B. 
Thompson, Jno. J. 
Thompson, Thomas. 
Tinsley, Clifford N. 
Tinsley, George T. 

Tucker, Thomas J., wounded at Beaver Dam, May 9, 1864. 
Turner, Daniel. 

Waller, S. M., wounded at Hawes' Shop, May 28, 1864. 
Ware, J. J. 

Watts, Chas., wounded badly at Todd's Tavern, and slightly disabled at Stevensburg. 
Watts, Hugh. 

Watts, James, wounded at Trevillian's Station. 

Watts, Richd., died of measles. % • 

Watts, Pitt. 

Watts, Saml., wounded, May 28, 1864, at Hawes' Shop. 
Watts, T. B., killed at Hunter's Mills, October, 1S61. 
White, A. A., wounded. 

White, Chas., wounded at Hawes' Shop, May 28, 1864. 
White, C. W. 
White, Handy. 

Williams, E. J., wounded at Yellow Tavern, May 11, 1864. 
WttLIAMS, Hazle. 
Wills, W. P. 

Wingfield, R. E., wounded at Spottsylvania C. H., May 7, 1864. 
Wood, F., wounded at Spottsylvania C. H., May 7, 1864. 
Wright, Chas. E. 

Wright, Henry, wounded at second Manassas. 
Wright. W. D., captured. 
Yancy, Henry, volunteer color-bearer for the fight, May 9, 1864, at Spottsylvania ; killed. 

ROLL OF COMPANY F. BEDFORD COUNTY. 

First Captain, James Wilson ; resigned. 

Second Captain, Wm. F. Graves ; promoted to Major and Lieutenant-Colonel ; wounded at 

Spottsylvania C. H., May 7, 1864. 
Third Captain, Waddy Burton. 



ROLL OF SECOND VIRGINIA CAVALRY. 435 

1st Lieutenant, John W. Johnson. 

2d Lieutenant, James E. Hughes ; wounded in the head at Ashland, and at Cedar Creek, Septem- 
ber 'Jl, 1864. 

Thorp, Nance ; resigned. 

id Lieutenant, It. D. Board; resigned. 

2d Lieutenant, H. C. Bond. 

2d Lieutenant, James I. Lee; promoted from Sergeant ; a steady soldier. 

1st Sergeant, James M. Jones ; captured at Chancellorsville, May 4, 18G3. 

2d Sergeant, James I. Lee ; promoted to 2d Lieutenant. 

■ 'iif, Saml. L. Mdrrell ; wounded at Spottsylvania C. H., May 7, 1864. 

4<A Sergeant, Jas. P. McCabe ; lost a leg at Raccoon Ford, October 11, 1863. 

<Uh Sergeant, R. W. Parker ; killed in the last charge on the morning of the surrender of the 
army, April 9, 18G5. 

Ath Sergeant, Jesse W. Pollard. 

Corporal, Jno. A. Wilson. 

Corporal, Jno. M. Garrett. 

Corporal, M. P. Rucker. 

Corporal, Wm. R. Johnson. 



Adams, R. E. 

Ayres, Jno. J. 

Ayres, Richd., captured at Gettysburg ; died in prison. 

Ballard, H. C. 

Bernard, T. W., wounded severely. 

Board, Jesse L., wounded May S, 1S64. 

Bond, Henry C, killed at Five Forks. 

Bowles, Henry C., minister. 

Burnett, A. W. 

Burnett, E. B., deserted. 

Burroughs, Jos., died in hospital. 

Carter, W. H. 

Clingimpeel, Jacob, discharged. 

Creasy, Alfred L., discharged. 

Dearino, R. J., wounded at Leesburg, September 21, 1862 ; on May 8, 1864 ; and at Mt. Jackson, 

November 21, 1S64. 
Dinwiddie, Lesslie T., died in hospital. 

DlNWIDDrE, R. B. 

Dinwiddie, S. S., wounded on picket. 

Dinwiddte, W. M. 

Dowdy, P. H., wounded. 

Fariss, T. A. 

Ftelds, W. D., wounded at Spottsylvania C. H., May 7, 1864. 

Franklin, Jas. E., died iu hospital. 

Ft/qua, Benj., killed at Tom's Brook, October 9, 1864. 

Garrett, E. G. 

Garrett, Jno., wounded at second Manassas. 

Garrett, R. M. 

Garrett, Woody. 

Gtll, Asa, captured October 22, 1864. 

Goggin, Stephen, died in hospital. 

Graves, J. P. 

Hancock, W. E. 

Harris, F. P., captured and died in prison. 

Harrison, J. A. 

Hogan, Saml. 

Holland, C. M., wounded. 

Hopkins, P. W. 

Hubbard, Creed T., killed May 7, at Spottsylvania C. H. 

Hubbard, Stephen. 

Hubbard, W. P., captured October 22, 1864. 

Hurt, Jno. F., wounded at Warrenton Springs. 

Hurt, L. D., wounded at Buckland ; captured in Kilpatrick's Raid. 

Jeter, J. A., wounded. 

Johnson, G. F. 

Johnson, Geo. M., wounded at Mt. Jackson, November 21, 1864. 

Johnson, Jos. M., wounded at Bridgewater. 

Johnson, Letlburn, killed at Todd's Tavern, May 7, 1864. 

Johnson, T. J., wounded at Brandy Station, June 9, 1863. 

Jones Jno. E., wounded at Raccoon Ford, October 11, 1863. 

Jones, W. B., transferred to artillery, 1864. 

Kidwell, Chas., came to our army ; was a good soldier. 

Kkautz, J. W., wounded May 7, 1863. 

Lee. Garnett, wounded. 

Leftwich, Granderson, wounded at Front Royal, August, 1864. 

Lewis, Ben.j., murdered at Verdiersville, by James Hunter, of company I, who deserted. 

Lipscomb, Geo. D., discharged in 1861. 

Lipscomb, J. J. 



436 



APPENDIX. 



Lipscomb, J. T., wounded at Cross Keys. 

Lynch, D. T. 

Lynch, Jno. T., discharged in 1862. 

Marshall, Jno. R., killed near Mechanicsville. 

Martin, Joshua, died in Nelson Co. 

Martin, Lewis, died in hospital. 

Martin, T. T., wounded severely in the arm. 

Mattox, R. P., wounded. 

Morgan, D. M. 

Morgan, J. J. 

Morgan, J. K. P. 

Morgan, J. T., Jr., color-bearer for two years ; wounded. 

Morgan, Jno. W. 

Morgan, T. C. 

Nance, Archibald, discharged. 

Nance, E. D., wounded at Todd's Tavern, May 7, 1864. 

Nance, J. F., captured at Kelly's Ford, wounded at Cross Keys. 

Nance, T; W., wounded at Spottsylvania C. H., and at Yellow Tavern. 

Newsam, N. 

Nichols, A. G. 

Nichols, S. T., killed at Meadow Bridge. 

Nichols, T. T., died at Fairfax. C. H. 

Ore, Jas. A., discharged. 

Parker, D. M. 

Parker, Jno. M., wounded and captured at Boonesboro', Md., July 8, 1863. 

Payne, Clarence H., transferred to the Navy in 1864. 

Phelphs, Thos. J., discharged. 

Pollard, A., wounded. 

Pollard, R. A., wounded at Front Royal, May 21, 1861. 

POINDEXTER, J. W. 
POLVDEXTER, S. T. 

Preston, Joel, severely wounded at Aldie. 

Preston, Jos. K. P. , killed at Brandy Station, June 9, 1863. 

Pulliam, Thos., killed April 8, 1865. 

Roberts, Geo. R. 

Roberts, Jas. E. 

Roberts, J. W. 

Robertson, R. W. 

Robertson, T. J. 

Rucker, Moses. 

Saunders, Thos. T., wounded. 

Scott, T. D., captured at Lovettsville, Loudon Co., September, 1861. 

Tanner, B. D., wounded at Cold Harbor. 

Thaxton, Witt. W., wounded at second Manassas. 

Turner, B. R., wounded at Brandy Station. 

Wade, Jas. A., wounded at Aldie on June 17, 1863 ; and at Yellow Tavern, May 11, 1864 ; killed 

at Amelia C. H., on retreat from Richmond. 
Walker, A. S. 
Walker, A. T. 
Walker, Chas. P., wounded. 
Walker, C. P., wounded. 

Ware, S. J., wounded at Tom's Brook, October 9, 1864. 
Wilis, A. C. 

Wilson, Wm. J., bugler, wounded at second Manassas. 
Wright, J. K. P., wounded. 

Wright, Marshall, killed at Nance's Shop, May 31, 1864. 
Wright, Polk, severely wounded at Mt. Jackson, November 21, 1864. 
Zimmerman, Jno., discharged. 

ROLL OF COMPANY G. BEDFORD COUNTY. 

First Captain, R. C. W. Radford ; promoted to Colonel of the regiment. 

Second Captain, Winston Radford ; killed at first Manassas, a splendid type of the original vol- 
unteer. 

Third Captain, N. C. Harris; retired at the reorganization. 

Fourth Captain, Jesse Irvine; twice wounded ; lost a leg at Stevensburg. 

Fifth Captain, N. C. Harris ; reappointed on recommendation of the Colonel. 

1st Lieutenant, T. T. Munpord ; promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel of the regiment. 

1st Lieutenant, Don-P. Halsey ; retired at the reorganization ; promoted to A. D. C. to Gen. Saml. 
Garland. 

2d Lieutenant, W. R. Beale; retired at the reorganization. 

Id Lieutenant, Hiram C. Burke; woimded at Kearnstown; captured near Westminster, Md., and 
in prison until the close of the war. 

Jno. A. Douglass, severely wounded at Spottsylvania C. H., September 5, 18C3. 

2d Lieutenant, J. C. Hatcher ; promoted for gallantry. 

A. M. Whitten ; sink, absent in hospital ; minister. 

2d Lieutenant, Chas. H. Almond ; promoted from Commissary Sergeant for gallantry at Cedar 
Run, for capturing twenty-six armed men belonging to a New York regiment, commanded by 
a lieutenant. 



ROLL OF SECOND VIRGINIA CAVALRY. 437 

First Orderly Sergeant, Thos. W. Nelson : promoted to Assistant Surgeon. 

Second Orderly Sergeant, Jno. C. Hatcher ; wounded at Kelly's Ford, March 17, 1863, and on 

Custer's Raid. 
1st Sergeant, Wm. Majors ; killed at Cedar Creek, February 1C, 1864. 
IV Sergeant, Robt. C. Buckner; transferred. 
3d Sergeant, Emmett Hunter ; put in a substitute. 
illi Sergeant, Chas. E. Adams. 
Alh Sergeant, Alex. L. Stiff; retired. 

Sergeant, <'. E. Adajis ; wounded at Spottsylvania C H., May 3, 1864. 
1st Corporal, Alexander Irvine ; killed at first Manassas. 
1st Corporal, Geo. E. Caperton; promoted A. D. C, Gen. Echols' staff. 
2d Corporal, Thos. Holland 
Corporal, E. A. Talbott. 
4/A Corporal, Jno. B. Elliott. 

privates. 

Almond, Andrew J., promoted to Assistant Surgeon, transferred. 

Andrews, Alex., captured in Maryland. 

Austen, Alex., captured. 

Biobee, Jno. A., wounded at Spottsylvania, May 9, 1864. 

Bowles, Bushrod. 

Bowyer, Jas. A., detailed. 

Brannon, James, deserted. 

Bruce, Jno. T. 

Burton, Augustus, killed near Massaponox Church, May 9, 1864. 

Campbell, Jas. A. 

Childs, Jno., wounded at Todd's Tavern ; killed at Five Forks. 

Clay, Cyrus B., discharged. 

Cobbs, Thomas, killed at Columbia Furnace, October 9, 1864. 

Cocke, Richard. 

Cocke, W. A., twice wounded ; killed at Mt. Jackson, November 22, 1864. 

Couch, Charles. 

Craddock, R. A., wounded at Hartwood Church, February 26, 1S64. 

Cundiff, J. Mac. 

Dawson, Henry, discharged and died. 

Dawson, J. P., wounded. 

Dillon, Hale. 

Dooley, Robert, captured at Westminster, Md., July, 1863, and died in prison. 

Echolds, Jno., discharged. 

Elliott, Henry. 

Elliott, Jno. H. 

Elliott, Wm. P. 

Gaddy, Bartholomew, teamster. 

Gibbs, Chas. Minnis, wounded. 

Golden, Zack, transferred to infantry. 

Goodman, Thos. 

Halsey. Alex., promoted to captaincy in 21st Regt, killed at Leestown, W. Va. 

Halsey. Stephen P., promoted to Major of 21st Cavalry. 

Hatcher, Jno. E., Corporal. 

Hatcher, Whitfield. 

Hdldebran, H., captured at Dranesville. 

Hill, Hugh W., discharged as over age. 

Horsely, Edw. W., slightly wounded. 

Hunter. C. P. 

Hunter, Jerome, discharged. 

Hunter. Robert, wounded in head. 

Hurt, Saml. 

Irvine, Edw., wounded. 

Irvine, Jno., wounded in foot. 

Irvine, Wm. C, transferred. 

Jinkins, David L. 

Jinks, .Tames. 

Johnson, Beverly. 

Jones, Binsford W. 

Jones. Elijah C, killed at first Manassas. 

Jones, Wingfield, wounded at Mt. Jackson, November 22, 1864. 

Kasey, Jno., bugler ; gallant fellow. 

Lansdown, W., blacksmith, captured. 

Lee. Thos. N. 

Lemmon, George, died from camp disease. 

Martin, James, died in service. 

McCardle, Owen. 

McFall, Thomas, wounded slightly. 

Merriweather, Frank, acting Qr. M. Sergt. 

Merriweather. G. Douglass. 

Milow, W. S , discharged. 

Moore, Alfred. 

Nelson, Jno., promoted to Assistant Surgeon ; killed October 11, in a charge at Raccoon Ford. 



438 



APPENDIX. 



Ogden, Chas. 

Ogden, Silas. 

Ogleby, Lockwood, put in a substitute. 

Padget, Wm., died. 

Page, Jno., transferred. 

Perrow, D. Alex., wounded at Kelly's Ford, March 17, 1863. 

Pekrow, Fletcher C. 

Perrow, Seth. 

Perrow, Thos. B. 

Poindexter, Saml., transferred. 

Reid, Jesse, substituted. 

Reid, Jno. W. 

Roberts, Wm. T. 

Roy, William. 

Rucker, Wm. P., discharged. 

Saunders, Abe, captured at Hawes' Shop, May 28, 1864. 

Saunders, Daniel. 

Saunders, Jno., wounded. 

Scott, Frank, substituted. 

Stephens, Monroe W. 

Steptoe, Jno. 

Steptoe, Wm., twice wounded; promoted to Sergt. Major for gallantry, and again promoted to 
captaincy of Co. B. 

Steptoe, W. B. 

Tanksley, Richd., wounded at Spottsylvania C. H. 

Tayloe, Lomax, promoted to Color-bearer; and for distinguished gallantry made Adjutant; 
wounded at Bristoe Station, and at Shepherdstown, May 16 ; killed at Raccoon Ford, Octo- 
ber 11, 1863. 

Teas, Jack. 

Teas, James. 

Thompson, Henry G. 

Thompson, Spottswood, wounded at Shepherdstown, July 16, 1863. 

Thompson, Wm., deserted. 

Thurman, Walker G. 

Tinsley, Spottswood, wounded. 

Tucker, Wm. 

Turpin, George, captured at Westminster, Md. ; died in prison. 

Turpin, Lucian. 

Turpin, R. G., wounded at Hawes' Shop. 

Urquheart, Kenneth D., the largest man in the regiment, weighing 255 lbs. 

Whitten, A. M., wounded ; captured at Dranesville ; elected Lieutenant. 

Wilkes, Corbin. 

Wilkes, James, died in service. 

Williamson, Edwd., wounded at second Manassas. 

Wingfield, Saml. 

Witt, Booker, wounded at first Manassas. 

Wood, James, died in service. 

Wright, W. A., Corporal. 

Yuelli, Thomas, transferred. 

ROLL OF COMPANY H. APPOMATTOX COUNTY. 

First Captain, Joel W. Flood ; retired at the reorganization ; promoted A. D. C, Kemper's staff. 

Second Captain, Chas. E. Webb ; died in hospital at Richmond. 

Third Captain, Joseph W. Carson ; wounded at Mt. Jackson, November 22, 1864. 

1st Lieutenant, R. B. Poore ; retired at the reorganization ; promoted to Lieutenant on Deering's 

staff. 
1st Lieutenant, R. T. Saunders ; wounded at Spottsylvania C. H., May 8, 1S64 ; killed near High 

Bridge on the retreat from Richmond. 
2d Lieutenant, W. H. Trent ; promoted as A. Q. M. of the regiment. 
Thos. A. Tibb, wounded at Buckettsville, Md., dismissed from the regiment ; enlisted in Preston's 

battery ; promoted for gallantry to First Lieutenant ; after the war joined 7th U. S. Cavalry ; 

was killed in battle with the Indians at Washeta, Indian Territory. A dashing, handsome 

youth. 
2d Lieutenant, Thos. E. LeGrand ; wounded at Farmville, April 5, 1S65. 
2d Lieutenant, C. V. Webb ; transferred to Battery No. 9. 
Brev. 2d Lieutenant, Chas. E. Webb ; promoted to Captain. 
Brev. 2d Lieutenant, Daniel W. McKinney. 
1st Sergeant, Henry B. Sherrar ; put in a substitute. 
1st Sergeant, Geo. W. Snapp ; killed at Kelly's Ford, March 17, 1863. 
2d Sergeant, Simeon B. Harvey ; wounded. 

3d Sergeant, Jno. W. Davidson ; sabre wound at Aldie, June 17, 1863. 
4th Sergeant, Daniel Gills ; wounded May 9, 18G1, Spottsylvania. 
1st Corporal, Geo. W. Carter ; killed at Hawes' Shop, May 28, 1S64. 
2d Corporal, A. S. Swann ; captured at Front Royal, September 20, 1S64. 
3d Corporal, T. E. Morriss. 

4th Corporal, Chas. H. Coleman ; wounded at Aldie, June 17, 1863. 
4th Corporal, Fletcher B. Moore. 



ROLL OF SECOND VIRGINIA CAVALRY. 439 



Abbitt, Geo. Dallas. 

Alvis, Ed wd., died in hospital at Mt. Jackson, 18G2. 

Alms, Wm. If., wounded. 

Bagby, Luke, discharged. 

Banton, James. 

Bell, Wyatt H. 

Bingham, Jno. S., discharged. 

Bocock, Jno. T., deserted in December, 1863. 

Bragg, Jno. J., transferred. 

Bbanham, Geokge W., from Albemarle County. 

Beotr x, C. C. 

Carson, Jno. J. 

Carson, M. J. 

Carson, M. W. 

Cawtiion, Hudson. 

Cheafam, R. A., wounded at second Manassas, September 22, 1862. 

Chick, E. A. 

Chick, J. J., captured ; wounded at Hawes' Shop, May 28, 1864. 

Clack, Cotton. 

Clack, William. 

Clarke, Henry. 

Clarke, Wm. 

Coleman, C. H. 

Coleman, Drewry. 

Coleman, Henry, died in hospital. 

Coleman, J. A., captured at Tom's Brook, October 9, 1864. 

Coleman, Madison. 

Coleman, Schuyler, died at home, 1S62, in service. 

Connelly, Warner, Geo. 

Conner, Allen, discharged as over age. 

Crawley', Richd., transferred. 

Crenshaw, Jno. J., captured at Hawes' Shop, May 28, 1864. 

Crumby, Frank, died in hospital in Richmond, 1862. 

Davidson, Jos. H., died. 

Diggs, John. 

Doss, Jos. E. 

Dunn, put iu a substitute. 

Elliott, Jno. W., died at home, in service. 

Elliott, Thos., wounded at Tom's Brook, October 9, 1864. 

Featherston, James H., detailed with A. P. Hill, Signal Corps. 

Febbdsh, Henry, discharged. 

Fekbvsh, J. D., killed at Fort Kennon, May 24, 1864. 

in, Albert, died in hospital. 
Ferguson, Geo. L., wounded at Spottsylvauia, May 9, transferred. 
Gilham, Robt. 
Glover, (.'has. 
Glover, Robt. 
Glover, S. A. 

Glover, W. H., killed at Spottsylvania C. H., May 12, 1864. 
Gordon, A. V., killed at Cold Harbor, May 31, 1864. 
Goildin, Jno. 
Hamner, Joseph B. 
Hancock. 

Harrison, P. G., transferred to Co. K. 

Harvey, G. W., captured in Pennsylvania, June, 1863; teamster. 
Harvey, Simeon B. 

.., W. H., wounded at Stevensburg, October, 1863; courier; gallant fellow. 
Hill, C. P. 

Hill, Robt. A., wounded at Berryville, August 19, 1864. 
Hix, E. G., a lad of 1G years. 
Hocker, Wm. J., from Buckingham County. Va. 

Hunter, Nathan H., detailed on special duty ; Horse Master ; Fairfax County, Va. 
Inge, J. E. 

Inge, Turner P., captured in Pennsylvania, July, 1SG3, at Gettysburg. 
Isbell, T. E. 

Isbell, T. H., from Tennessee. 
Jenkins. Adolphus, wounded at Cold Harbor. 
Jones, W. A., put in a substitute. 
Kelley, Ciias. o. 

Lee, Jas. P., killed at Tom's Brook, October 9, 1S64. 
Luckado, Elisha, 
Maccomick, J. D. 

Mann, Wm., killed at second Manassas, September 22, 1862. 
Martin, W. a. 
MoDearman, S. W. 
McDearman, William J. 



440 



APPENDIX. 



Meeks, Lafayette, died at Flint Hill, 1861. 

Meggenson, W. B. 

Millstead, A. J., deserted. 

Millstead, R. F., deserted. 

Moore, Jno., Campbell County, Va. 

Morgan, W. A., wounded ; captured at Tom's Brook, October 9, 1864. 

Morris, E. Thomas. 

Nichols, A. 

North, Wm. L. E., captured at Tom's Brook, October 9, 1864. 

Nowling, Geo. W., transferred. 

Pankey, James, deserted. 

Pankey, Peter, captured and died at Point Lookout, 1S04. 

Phelps, Chas. 

Phelps, Jno. 

Phelps, Lee, died in hospital. 

Phelps, Lucas, wounded at Dumfries, died December 25, 1862. 

Phelps, Oscau L., transferred to Hargrove's battery, 1864. 

Phelps, Thos. 

Phelps, W. F., killed at Trevillian's Station, June, 1864. 

Richardson, Jas. M., from Louisa County, Va. 

Rogers, David C. 

Rule, B. B. , captured near Gettysburg, 1863. 

Rule, C. C, wounded and captured at Chancellorsville ; died in prison. 

Scruggs, Jno. D. 

Smith, Wm. J. 

Snapp, J. Warwick. 

Stephens, Samuel C, Nelson County, Va. 

Stratton, Jas. M., wounded near Farmville, April 5, 1865. 

Sweeney, Chas. H. 

Sweeney, Robt. M. 

Sweeney, Samuel D., died of small-pox at Hanover C. H. ; great banjo player. 

Thornhill, Saml. A., discharged from disability for field service. 

Thornhill, W. A., wounded at Mt. Jackson, November 22, 1864. 

Torrence, Henry, wounded at Kelly's Ford, March 17, 1S63. 

Torrence, P. A., wounded in hand. 

Torrence, Saml. 

Via, Samuel. 

Walker, Jos., deserted in September, 1863 

Walton, Jno. W. 

Watson, James. 

Webb, Jas. M. 

Webb, Jno. W. 

Webb, Wm. A., severely wounded at Five Forks, April 1, 1865. 

White, A. A., wounded at Nance's Shop, June, 1864. 

Williams, L. T., wounded at Tom's Brook, October 9, 1864. 

Wood, James. 

Woodson, J. H., wounded at Fort Kennon, May 24, 1864. 

Wright, C. A. 

Wright, Fountain C. 

Wright, J. P., died in service. 

Wright, S. C, died in hospital. 

ROLL OF COMPANY I. CAMPBELL COUNTY. 

First Captain, J. D. Alexander; wounded at first Manassas; resigned. 

Second Captain, W. P. Graham ; wounded at Aldie, June 17, 1863, and resigned. 

Third Captain, Turpin DuPriest ; wounded at Orange C. H., July 17, 1862 ; at Aldie, June 17, 

1863 ; at Brandy Station ; and at Hawes' Shop, May 28, 1864. 
1st Lieutenant, E. R. Page ; resigned. 
1st Lieutenant, J. R. Brown ; died in service. 

Id Lieutenant, Francis Comer ; wounded at Trevillian's Station, and at Hawes' Shop. 
2d Lieutenant, Wm. Waller ; promoted to Commissary Department. 
Jno. J. Calloway ; slightly wounded. 

2d Lieutenant, Benj. F. Tardy ; retired at the reorganization. 
2d Lieutenant, W. W. Williamson ; discharged. 
1st Sergeant, W. H. Lee. 
2d Sergeant, 3. B. Smith. 

3d Sergeant, A. D. Vandergraft ; wounded twice, at Five Forks, and Louisa C. H. 
4th Sergeant, Lorenzo D. Dowdy ; killed at Trevillian's Station. 
4th Sergeant, Chas. Chick. 
4th Sergeant, J. Apperson ; discharged. 

1st Corporal, J. M. Drommon ; wounded at Nance's Shop, June 24, 1864. 
2d Corporal, E. Levi Blankenship. 
3d Corporal, Daniel T. Walker. 
4th Corporal, Jno. M. Scott. 

privates. 

Alexander, Saml. P., captured at Woodstock ; joined Mosby's command. 
Bass, Thos. M., wounded at Bridgewater. 



ROLL OF SECOND VIRGINIA CAVALRY. 441 

Booker, R. H., promoted to Lieutenant in Army of Tennessee. 

Bradshaw, J. William. 

Brown, Jno. It. 

Brown, T. J., captured at Kelly's Ford, March 17, 18C3. 

Callahan, K., discharged. 

Callahan, J., captured at Tom's Brook, October 9, 18G4. 

Cardwell, R. D. 

Cardwell, Robert H., wounded. 

Clark, Patrick, from Halifax County ; died in service. 

Connerlv, Simeon W. 

Covington, Martin M., transferred. 

Davis, Fletcher T., transferred. 

DePriest, W. II., killed at Spottsylvania C H., May 8, 18G4. 

Donold, Jno., killed at Spottsylvania, May 9, 1864. 

Dowdy, Wm. B., captured. 

Early, L. S., horse killed at Raccoon Ford. 

Epperson, M., died in service. 

Farris, Joshua, discharged. 

Flags, Lucian C 

Foster, Jno. H., captured at Hawes' Shop, 18G4. 

Franklin, Thos. C, wounded at Todd's Tavern. 

Franklin, Wm. E., died in service. 

Frink, T. W., of Mississippi ; went to Mosby. 

George, J. J., retired in March, 1864. 

Glass, James W. 

Glenn, C C. 

Glenn, Jas. E., wounded, lost his fingers. 

Hamilton, James. 

Henderson, Wm. 

Hughes, Barney, blacksmith. " 

Hughs, Edwd. 

Hunley, Jno. W., discharged. 

Hunter, Jas. R., deserted after killing Benj. Lewis ; resided in Alexandria. 

Jacobs, Aaron L. 

Jacobs, Wm. H., wounded at Jack's Shop. 

Jones, J. It, discharged. 

Jordan, Edwd. V. 

Kane, D. Thaddeus, wounded at Trevillian's Station. 

Kino, James A., killed at Spottsylvania C. H., 1864. 

King, R. H., transferred. 

Kino, Thomas. 

Layne. David P. 

Lee, C. Price, died in service, July, 1864. 

Lee. J. James. 

Lee, R. A. 

Leftwich, James C, killed at Kelly's Ford, March 17, 1863. 

Leftwich, William A. 

Lindsey, Edwd. L. 

LlNDsEY, L. C. 

Lindsey, William F. 

: . Geo. W., wounded slightly at second Manassas, sabre cut. 

Lips .'MB, James D., killed near Spottsylvania C. H. 

Lipscomb. J. W., wounded at Kelly's Ford, seven sabre cuts; and at Trevillian's Station shot in 
thigh, November, 1^04 ; a gallant fellow. 

Little, Fielding, wounded, May 9, 1864. 

Magann, W. H. 

Marshall, Jno., transferred. 

Martin, Jno. D. 

Martin, Thos. 

Mason, Jno. F. 

Mason, Jno. t. 

Mason, T. F., wounded at Spottsylvania C. H., and died from wound. 

Maxey, E. H., wounded at second Manassas. 

Mays, Robt. H. 

McItOB, Jno., transferred to the navy. 

Mi Ivor, Thomas F., wounded at Dpperville. 

Merriman, Jno. G., wounde«l at Leesbur<;. September 2, 1862, and at Mt. Jackson ; died of wound. 

Mebbjman, Hobt. M., wounded at Hawes' Shop, June 24, 1864. 

Moon, Edwd., killed at Spottsylvania C. H., May 11, 1864. 

Mm in, Jno., Color-Sergeant, wounded at Trevillian's Station, June 12, 1864. 

Moore, Ai.ex.. captured at Hawes' Shop, and died in prison, July, 1864. 

Moore, Chas. L. 

Moore, J. J., killed at Front Royal, August 16, 1864. 

Moorman, J. F., wounded three times : at Hawes' Shop, Spottsylvania C H., and Brandy Sta- 
tion. 

Moorman, Richard. 

Moorman, Thos., wounded. 

Morriss, J. P. 

Morriss, J. Westly. 



442 



APPENDIX. 



Nash, Granville. 

Payne, Jno. S. 

Payne, Lewis W., transferred. 

Payne, T. Scott, transferred to the navy. 

Price, Andrew C. 

Pucket, J. T., killed at Spottsylvania C. H., May 6, 1864. 

Pugh, Andrew J., wounded at first Manassas, and promoted in Western Army. 

Pogh, Thos. J., horse killed at Kelly's Ford, March 17, 1SG3. 

Purreae, Geo., wounded, transferred to battery. 

Reid, F. C, wounded at Williamsport, Md. 

Redd, R. W., wounded at Nance's Shop, June 24, 1S64. 

Rosser, Charles H. 

Singleton, B. L., captured, and has never been heard from since. 

Sikgleton, Jno. A., gallant boy ; killed at Tom's Brook. 

Smith, L. L., wounded at Spottsylvania C. H., May 7, 1864. 

Snow, C. B., wounded. 

Snow, R. A. 

Stephens, Robt. H. 

Strong, Jno. A., teamster. 

Thomas, James E., killed at Beverly, W. Va., December 26, 1864. 

Tucker, Jno. W. 

Tweedy, R. E., wounded. 

Wade, Benj. F. 

Wade, John, wounded at Cold Harbor. 

Walker, E. R. J. S. C. 

Walker, J. L. L. 

Walker, Jack P., courier of General J. E. B. Stuart. 

Walker, Jno. C. 

Walker, W. A. 

Walker, W. W., killed at Hanovertown, May 27, 1864. 

Ward, Edward, killed at Nance's Shop, May 11, 1864. 

West, Chas. 

West, George, teamster. 

West, J. A., deserted. 

West, Jno. A. 

Wilburn, F. L. 

Wilburn, Robt., died in service. 

Wilburn, William W. 

Williams, Fayette, farrier. 

Williams, J. M., wounded at Hawes' Shop. 

Williams, L. E., wounded at Luray, September 21, 1863. 

Williams, N. T., wounded at Williamsport, Md. 

Wiley, Flemming, wounded at Hawes' Shop. 

Wood, E. W., killed at Cold Harbor, May 30, 1864. 

Wood, Robt. J., wounded at Yellow Tavern. 

Woodall, Jno. J. 

Younger, R. B., wounded at Buckettsville, Md., September 14, 1862. 

ROLL OF COMPANY K. ALBEMARLE COUNTY. 

1st Captain, Eugene Davis ; retired at the reorganization. 

2d Captain, W. W. Tebbs ; killed at Nance's Shop, June 24, 1864. 

3d Captain, John O. Lassley ; wounded at Leesburg, September 21, 1862 ; killed at Front Royal, 
September 21, 1864. 

4th Captain, J. H. Ballard; wounded at Leesburg, September 21, 1864, and at Five Forks, 
March 31, 1865. 

1*/ Lieutenant, F. E. G. Carr; retired at the reorganization. 

1st Lieutenant, J. W. Magruder ; killed at Meadow Bridge, May 12, 1864. 

1st Lieutenant, Geo. H. Geiger; woimded; promoted to A. D. C ; killed at Gettysburg. 

Id Lieutenant, T. J. Randolph ; promoted to Major and Quartermaster. 

Id Lieutenant, Q. L. Williams ; woimded twice : at Yellow Tavern, May 11, 1864 ; September 
24, near Berryville. 

2d Lieutenant, J. W. Gooch ; wounded at Williamsport, August 26, 1864, and at Berryville, Sep- 
tember 24, 1864. 

First Order/)/ Sergeant, Chas. Ford ; promoted and transferred. 

Seamd Order/// Sergeant, J. J. Wood. 

Sergeant, A. J. Taylor ; wounded at Gettysburg, July 3, 1864. 

3d Sergeant, Robin Doi.in ; captured by Averell in 1863. 

3i7 Sergeant, Jesse L. Fry ; first two years of the war. 

3(7 Sergeant, P. G. Harrison. 

4th Sergeant, F. H. Nelson ; killed at Fort Kennon, May 24. 1864. 

Corporal, 3. W. Gentry; woimded at Spottsylvania C H., May 8, 1864; at Aldie, June 17, 1863; 
and at Raccoon Ford. 

Corpora/, Jas. G. Carr ; captured at Fort Kennon, May 24, 1864, and never heard from after 
leaving Fortress Monroe. 

privates. 

Allegre, John. 

Anderson, David, transferred. 



ROLL OF SECOND VIRGINIA CAVALRY. 443 

Anderson, M. L., killed at Tom's Brook, October 8, 1SG4. 

Baily, J. A. 

Ballard, T. T., wounded, July 27, 1864. 

Barm.ev, W. H., wounded, May 13, 1861. 

BAXTEE, THORNTON, wounded mortally at Trevillian's Station; gallant boy. 

Bishop, W. H., wounded at Cold Harbor, May 29, 1864. 

Bragg, Jas. M. 

Bragg, Joseph. 

Bragg, V. R. 

Brown, E. M. 

ByERS, EDWARD. 

Carr, R. H. 

Carter, John P., wounded at Cold Harbor, May 21, 1SG4 ; honorably retired. 

Cave, Benj., wounded at Beaver Dam, May 10, 1804. 

Clark, C, killed, August 21, 1SG4, near Berryville. 

Clark, W. H. 

Clarkson, Jos. 

Cleavland, James T., woimded at Waynesborougb, September 2S, 18G4. 

Colston, Edward, lost an arm near High Bridge ; fidl of dash ; often detailed as courier. 

Cosby, T. M., wounded near Newtown, November 11, 186-. 

Creel, B. T. 

Daniel, John M. 

Daniel, H. V., transferred. 

Daniel, Montgomery. 

Day, John. 

Doling, Jas. E. 

Dunn, P. M., transferred to 5th Virginia Cavalry. 

Duke. G. W. 

Eastman, James, woimded at Meadow Bridge, May 12,1863. 

English, W. O., promoted Lieutenant of Ordnance. 

Ferguson, R. P. 

Fielding, J. J. 

Fitz, James. 

Fountain, Davis. 

Garth, Hugh L., killed at Front Royal, September 24, 1864. 

Garth, Jas. P., captured, May 8, 1864. 

Garth, W. A., woimded at Spottsylvania C. H., May 7, 1864. 

Gentry, C. H. 

Gooch, O. M. 

Goodwin, P. C, wounded at Meadow Bridge, May 12, 1864. 

Gordon, Mason, promoted to A. D. C, General B. H. Robertson's Staff. 

Grayson, Jos., mortally wounded at Fort Kennon, May 24, 1S64. 

Gross, Chas. 

Hall, Jno. E. 

Hani OCK, DavTD E. 

Harris, B. F., courier ; killed at Chancellorsville. 

Harris, James. 

Harris, R. M., slightly wounded at Leesburg, September 21, 1862. 

Hayden, Jos. 

Hayden, O. W. 

Head, Bunk, transferred. 

Head, Milstus. 

Head, W. W., woimded at Fort Kennon, May 24, 1864. 

Hodgers, James M 

H .1. ombe, Wm. H., promoted 2d Lieutenant of Cavalry; A. l>. U 

Home. H. II. 

Hopkins, John, captured at Gettysburg. 

Howard. T. D. 

Jor-nson, Jos., transferred to the navy ; wounded at Aldie. 
Jones, J. P. 

KlDD, B. W. 

Kirtley, W. F., wounded. 

Lewis, Jas. H. 

Lewis, R. W. 

Lewis W S 

Mageehee. Frank, wounded at Leesburg, in the arm, September 21, 1862, and at Nance's Shop, 

June '24. 1864. , ., , „ 

Mageehfe, N. C, wounded at Five Forks; gallant, dashing feUow; detailed often as courier. 
Mahanes, M. B.. transferred to horse artillery. 
Marshall. G. W., wounded at Front Royal in 1864. 
Marshall, PATRICK H., good fighter with rifle. 
Marshall. W. H., killed at Newtown, November 11, 1864. 
Mat-pin. W. B. 
Mtohie. Eugene, wounded. 
Michte, H. C., transferred to infantrv. 

Michie, O. S., wounded mortally at Cold Harbor, May 31, 1864. 
Minor, F. H. 
Minor, G. R. 



444 



APPENDIX. 



Minor, R. T. 

Morton, 

Moss, J. B. J., wounded at second Manassas. 

Mundy, E. C, discharged. 

Nelson, Hugh. 

Newman, N. W. 

Newman, Thos. H., killed at Aldie, June 17, 18C3 ; no braver soldier nor truer gentleman. 

Noel, Floyd. 

Noland, Lloyd, transferred. 

Norten, J. W., wounded at Todd's Tavern, May 8, 18C4. 

Norvell, P. E. 

Pace, M. H. 

Perkins, Jos., wounded at Trevillian's Station. 

Peyton, E. G., wounded at Spottsylvania C. H., May 7, 1S64. 

Porter, W. D. 

Powell, H. H. 

Powell, P. P., transferred H. P. 

Profpit, J. A. 

Reynolds, H. F., died of typhoid fever at Centreville, 1861. 

Robinson, C. H., transferred D. C. 5th Virginia Cavalry. 

Rodgers, J. Thornton, captured at Woodstock in the Valley. 

Rodgers, Wm., transferred. 

Rogers, J. A. 

Scruggs, J as. E., courier ; most efficient, always well mounted. 

Scruggs, Samuel, wounded at Berryville, August 20, 1SC4, and at Front Royal, September 21, 

1S64. 
Scruggs, Scott, died at Guinea Station ; good soldier. 
Scruggs, W. G. 

Shackelford, W. O. (M. D.), detailed as hospital steward ; promoted as Assistant-Surgeon. 
Sneed, Chas. 
Sneed, Edward. 
Sneed, Horace. 
Sneed, Jno. A. 
Soloman, John. 
Taylor, A. J., company Q. M. 
Taylor, B W. 
Taylor, J. H. 
Teel, Lewis. 
Thompkins, A. C. 
Thompson, Jas. 
Thurman, D. T. 
Thurman, T. L. 
Trevillian, H. W. 
Tucker, George. 
Tucker, J. E., Color-Bearer, wounded at Aldie, June 17, 18C3, and at Spottsylvania C. H., May 

7, 1804 ; a dashing lad of eighteen years ; returned from Europe to join the army. 
Via, Woody. 
Walker, James M. 
Walker, Jas. P. 

Watson, Jno., wounded at Jack's Shop, and died from wound. 
Wheeler, W. D., wounded at Meadow Bridge, May 12, and at Williamsport, August 26, 1864 ; 

a splendid soldier. 
Wheeler, W. H., wounded at Meadow Bridge, May 11, 1864. 
White, W. A., died at Centreville, 1861, of fever. 
Williams, E. G., woimded at Tom's Brook, October 9, 1864. 
Willis, Jno. 

Wills, F. M., 2d Sergeant, put in J. P. Carter as his substitute. 
Wood, Geo. W. 
Wood, Jos. 
Wood, W. D. 
Wood, W. H. 
Woods, H. G. 
Woods, J. H. 

Woods, Jas. M., wounded at Bridge water, October 3, 1864. 
Woods, J. T. , wounded at High Bridge, April 5, 1865. 
Woods, M. T. 

Woods, Wilson, wounded at Spottsylvania C. H., May 8, 1864. 
Wright, W. G. 



APPENDIX. 445 



In the month of May, 18G1, I was commissioned by Governor John 
Letcher as Lieutenant-Colonel of the 30th regiment of Virginia Vol- 
unteers. This mounted regiment was mustered into the State service 
by Colonel Jubal A. Early, commanding at Lynchburg, and ordered 
to report to General Beauregard at Manassas. I served as a cavalry 
officer in the Army of Northern Virginia during its entire existence, 
and at the end of the war returned to my home in Bedford County. 
The return of peace after such a terrible struggle afforded ample op- 
portunity to recall the splendid deeds performed by the gallant sol- 
diers of my old command. No officer ever had a better regiment and 
brigade, and I feel sure that no one could have received a more faith- 
ful and generous support, under all circumstances, than was accorded 
to myself. I determined to collect the annals of my old regiment, 
then so fresh in memory, and by constant correspondence, and with 
the assistance of men and officers so well known to me personally, I 
believe I have completed it. If I have omitted a single name or done 
injustice to any one, it will ever be a source of regret. If I have ac- 
complished nothing else by this effort, the satisfaction I derive from 
it affords me ample compensation. It has been a labor of love in a 
worthy cause. Every feeling is gratified when I see reflected the 
scenes where precious drops of blood were shed on many well-fought 
fields. I deeply regret that I could not collect the names and deeds of 
all the other regiments I had the honor to command. Many are scat- 
tered and gone ; but the glory of each regiment will ever be the pride 
of the others. I know that the old 2d Virginia Cavalry would re- 
joice to add, if they could, a single flower to the chaplet that adorns 
their brow. Its fragrance, even, could afford them the greatest satis- 
faction. 

During Stonewall Jackson's memorable Valley Campaign and his 
battles with Pope, and our fight at Leesburg, company B, of my reg- 
iment, was detailed with General Longstreet's corps, as his body 
guard, and company A, 1st Maryland Cavalry (Captain Ridgley Brown 
commanding), served with my regiment in their absence, with great 
credit and distinction. A more chivalrous and gallant band of sol- 
diers never flashed a blade or answered a bugle's call. It is with 
especial pride that I enroll them with my old regiment, since they add 
a lustre to its fame. 

Thomas T. Munford. 



ROLL OF THE THIRD REGIMENT VIRGINIA CAVALRY. 



COMPANY A. MECKLENBURG COUNTY. ROLL NOT OBTAINED. 

COMPANY B. JAMES CITY COUNTY. 

Captain, 3. C. Phillips ; promoted to Major, and at close of the war was Colonel of the 13th 

Virginia Cavalry. 
1st Lieutenant, Wa, R. Vaughan ; made Surgeon. 

2d Lieutenant, Gill A. Cary ; made Adjutant ; died in Montgomery, Ala., 1880. 
3</ Lieutenant, Geo. Booker Jones ; promoted to Captain, and resigned after the battle of An- 

tietam. 
1st Sergeant, R. H. Vaughan ; promoted Quartermaster ; died of pneumonia at Farmville, Va., 

1S64. 
2d Sergeant, Fayette Sinclair ; promoted 1st Sergeant ; then promoted 3d Lieutenant ; at the 

reorganization was not reelected. 
3d Sergeant, Wm. N. Causey ; detailed for special duty, and resigned his position ; died in War- 
wick Co. Va., 1869. 
4th Sergeant, George Smith ; promoted as 1st Sergeant ; shot through the head at Hawes' Shop, 

May 28, 18G4, and died in hospital at Richmond, June 17, 1864. 
1st Corporal, Saml. W. Phillips ; captured at Aldie, June 17, 1863. 
2d Corporal, James B. White ; promoted as Quartermaster, November, 1861. 
3d Corporal, Joseph B. Herbert ; wounded at Kelly's Ford in the breast, March 17, 1863 ; died 

of his wounds in Hampton, August 16, 1865. 
4th Corporal, Gilbert Phillips. 



Allen, Thomas, killed near Spottsylvania C. H., Va., May 8, 1864. 

Armistead, Ro. T. 

Ayres, Samuel. 

Baines, Jno. I. 

Bates, Quiney Jno. 

Blanko, Edward. 

Causey, C. H., detailed and promoted as Captain in Signal service. 

Causey, James C, detailed as orderly for General Robt. Toombs. 

Cooper, Charles H., promoted as Lieutenant of Louisiana regiment ; killed at Williamsburg, May 

5, 1862. 
Crandal, Thos. G., discharged for disability. 
Crofton, G. J. B., captured on picket on Hazel River, 1863. 
Curtis, R. K., wounded at New Boonsboro', 1863. 
Daougherty, Wm. T., captured at Front Royal, August 16, 1864. 
Davis, Barlow. 
Davis, Eddd3. 

Davis, Louis F., wounded, and died of his wounds, 1864. 
Davis, P. P., captured at Strasburg, October 12, 1864. 
Davis, Robt. A. 
Downey, J. W. 

Drewry, Robt. W., captured at Front Royal, August 16, 1864. 
Eddens, Wm. P. 
Elliott, H. H. 
Elliott, Robt. F. 
Etheridge, Leonidas. 
Fitchett, William. 

Gammel, Nathan, promoted as Lieutenant, June, 1862, and resigned after battle of Antietam. 
Hall, John. 
Hamm, Jacob, wounded near the White House, New Kent Co., Va., June 20, 1864, and died of 

wounds in Hampton, 1865. 
Hawkins, Richd. 

Height, Wiley, killed at Hawes' Shop, May 28, 1864. 
Herbert, Thos. S., captured in New Kent Co., in 1863. 



ROLL OF THIRD VIRGINIA CAVALRY. 447 

hudgins, andrew j. 

hudgins, b. f. 

hudgins, robt. s. 

Ivy, William. 

Johnson, Dorden, killed by 44th Georgia regiment, June 18, 1864. 

Jones, Andrew Mc. 

Jones, 15enj. F., wounded at Trevillian's Station, June 12, 18G4. 

Jones, Charles. 

Jones, Jesse S., promoted as Captain after the battle of Antietam. 

Joynes, Jno. L. 

Laws, William, killed in Spottsylvania Co., May G, 1864. 

Lee, John. 

Lee, William, captured at Aldie, Loudon Co., June 17, 1863. 

Marrow, D. G. 

McElen, Geo. C, promoted as Lieutenant ; wounded at Kelly's Ford, March 17, 1863. 

Meabs, Edward C., captured at Aldie, June 17, 1863. 

Mears, Levin, died in Richmond of fever, 1863. 

Merriam, Geo. 

Moreland, Alphonso. 

Murray, Jno., died in 1864. 

Parham, William. 

Peddicord, Alex. 

Phillips, Benj., Jr., died in Richmond of fever, in 1863. 

Phillips, Benj., Sr. 

Phillips, C. Henry. 

Phillips, C. Hopkins. 

Phillits, Geo. W., killed by negro soldiers in Matthews Co., Va., 1864. 

Phillips, Joseph, promoted as Colonel of infantry ; killed in Texas. 

Presson, Jno. M., detailed as courier for Gen. J. B. McGruder. 

Seger, Jno. F., promoted to Captain of infantry. 

Selden, Henry, killed in Luray Valley, September, 1S64. 

Selden, R. C. 

Sewell, James M. 

Shield, Wm. P. 

Sinclair, Fayettte, promoted as Lieutenant, November, 1861. 

Sinclair, Geo. K. 

Sinclair, Henry. 

Sinclair, Jno. 

Smith, W. I., elected Lieutenant, September, 1862, and wounded at Aldie, June 17, 1863. 

Southall, Travis M. 

Thompson, Willis. 

Tilford, Jno. C. 

Topping, Robt. N. 

Vaughan, Alex. 

Vaughan, Howard. 

Vaughan, James M. 

Wainwright, J. C. 

Waller, Isaac. 

Watts, Samuel A., died in Williamsburg, in 1S63. 

Watts, Thos. 

West, Arthur W., wounded at Kelly's Ford, March 17, 1863 ; and again in the Shenandoah Val. 

ley, September, 1864, and captured. 
West, W. D. 
Whiting, A. T. 

Williams, Jno., captured at Aldie, June 17, 1863. 
Wilson, Robert. 
Winder, Levin G. 
worthington, james. 
Wray, Geo. 

Wray, Jno., elected Lieutenant, November, 1861, and captured at Brandy Station, 1863. 
Young, Wm. L. 
Young, W. W., killed at Kelly's Ford, March 17, 1863. 

ROLL OF CO. C. BLACK WALNUT TROOP. HALIFAX COUNTY. 

First Captain, W. H. Easly ; died at home in 1861. 

Second Captain, T. H. Owen ; wounded in Spottsylvania Co. ; promoted as Colonel of the regi- 
ment. 

Third Captain, J. A. Chappell ; killed at Winchester in 1863. 

1st Lieutenant, .1. W. Hall ; wounded, and permanently disabled at Kelly's Ford. 

2d Lieutenant, W. S. Ticker ; discharged in 1861. 

2d Lieutenant, Thos. Hall ; in prison at Elmira, N. Y. ; released after the close of the war. 

3d Lh utenant, S. H. Ragland ; wounded at Boousboro', and discharged. 

3'/ Lieutenant, Jno. M. Jordan ; wounded at the Yellow Tavern ; in command of the company 
(luring the greater part of the last two years of the war. 

3d Lieutenant, Ihos. N. Fourqurean ; wounded at Mitchell's Shop; in prison at Johnson's 
Island ; released after the close of the war. 



448 



APPENDIX. 



Adams, R. C, bugler ; discharged as over age. 

Adkins, W. G-, died since the war. 

Anderson, Archer. 

Anderson, I., died during the war. 

Bailey, Albert, died in hospital in Richmond, in the spring of 1862. 

Barnett, Abb, substituted. 

Bass, A. C. 

Betts, Elisha, captured at Front Royal. 

Betts, George, Sergeant ; killed at Kelly's Ford. 

Blane, Jacob, Jr., discharged. 

Blake, W. E. 

Brookes, Hubbard, wounded in Maryland. 

Brookes, Dr. J. V., detailed as Surgeon in hospital. 

Brookes, S. H., substituted. 

Bruoer, Jno, E., wounded at Massaponax Church. 

Bruoer, W. H., Corporal ; died since the war. 

Bunien, Jock, missing and never heard from ; supposed to have been killed. 

Cabaness, Henry. 

Carrixgton, Clement, Orderly Sergeant ; promoted as Captain of Company H. 

Carrinoton, Geo. 

Carter, Phil. 

Chappell, Jno. 

Cole, H. F. 

Cole, J. H. 

Coleman, Emory, wounded near Richmond, May, 1864. 

Coleman, J. C, promoted Assistant Surgeon of the regiment. 

Coles, Dodridge, taken prisoner at evacuation of Petersburg. 

Covington, Jno, teamster. 

Crawley, A. A. 

Crawley, A. B. 

Crowder, Jno., died on the Peninsula, in 1861. 

Easley, Andrew, wounded near Richmond. 

Easley, C. B., substituted. 

Easley, Isaac, discharged. 

Edmonson, R. H. 

Ellington, Henry, died in hospital at Charlottesville. 

Ellington, Wi., wounded at Fort Kennon. 

Faulkner, A. F. 

Faulkner, Benj., died since the war. 

Faulkner, J. B., Corporal ; died since the war. 

Faulkner, Thos., substituted. 

Faulkner, Wm., died since the war. 

Ford, David. 

Ford, Wm. 

Fourqurean, D. W., wounded at the Yellow Tavern ; died since the war. 

Glenn, A. C. 

Howard, R. S. 

Howerton, R. T., bugler. 

Howerton, Wm. 

Hughes, J. H., wagon-master. 

Jones, James. 

Jordan, Hammet, killed at Boonsboro', Md. 

Jordan, Jos. E., wounded at Athens Station, and prisoner in Washington. 

Jordan, R. E. 

Jordan, W. I., wounded at Fort Kennon. 

King, Marcellus. 

King, William. 

Lambeth, Geo. 

Marable, W. B. 

Miller, W. B., died in Texas since the war. 

Moore, W. V. B. 

Moseley, Edward. 

Overby, Jacksonias. 

Owen, A. K. 

Owen, W. T., died since the war. 

Palmer, J. A., promoted as Captain and A. Q. M. of regiment, and as Major and Qr. Mr. of the 

brigade. 
Palmer, J. J., Corporal. 
Petty, Henry. 

Poindexter, Wm., killed on the Peninsula. 
Pointer, Jos., substituted. 
Pool, Amas, discharged. 
Pool, Marcellus, discharged. 
Pritchet, Ira. 
Ragland, J. E. 



ROLL OF THIRD VIRGINIA CAVALRY. 449 

Ragland, J. P., discharged. 

Rogers, Byrd, substituted. 

Rogers, Jno. S., substituted. 

Rogers, Wm., wounded at Trevillian's Station and permanently disabled. 

Salmon, Jno., died in hospital. 

Saunders, Almond. 

Seat, Wm. 

Shields, Dock. 

Shields, Johnson. 

Shields, Richard. 

Singleton, R. A., Orderly Sergeant ; wounded at Aldie and near Richmond. 

Spencer, R. C. 

Toot, Jno. S., Corporal. 

Torian, L. B. 

Traynham, Thos. B., Sergeant ; wounded at Spottsylvania C. EL 

Tucker, Lorenzo, killed May 20, 1864, at Spottsylvania C. EL 

Whit, Samuel. 

Whit, William. 

White. J. W., died during the war. 

Wilburne, W. H. 

Wiles, Jakes. 

Wllkerson, Alex., died during the war. 

Wilkins, Thompson, killed at Kelly's Ford, March, 1863. 

Wilkins, W. P. 

Williams, Charley, substituted. 

Williams, Detrion, substituted. 

Wooding, J. M. 

Yancey, W. B., killed at Hawes' Shop. 

Young, B. F. 

Young, Wimbush. 

COMPANY D. CHARLES CITY COUNTY. 

Adams, James E., wounded at Brandy Station in 1863. 

Adams, Joseph E., Corporal. 

Adams, Rocep.t L. 

Adams, Wm. H. 

Allison, J. W., died at home in 1863. 

Barrow, Robert A. 

Beirns, John C. 

Beirns, M. R. 

Beirns, Norris, killed in Spottsylvania in 1863. 

Bowry, Francis A., transferred from 53d Virginia Infantry. 

Bowry, George W., died in hospital in 1SG2. 

Bowry, John H., Sergeant; killed at Sharpsburg in 1863. 

Brown, James. 

Carroll, Patrick, wounded at Kelly's Ford in 1863. 

Carter, Charles. 

Carter, Hill, Lieutenant ; wounded at Boonsboro' in 1862 ; killed at Chancellorsville, May 2, 

Carter, John G-., a good boy soldier. 

Christian. E. P. 

Christian, Heath Jones, killed at Todd's Tavern in 1863. 

Christian, Isaac H., wounded at Todd's Tavern in 1863; a Northern man who served faithfully 

in the C S. A. 
Christian, J. C. 

Christian, Richard, Sergeant ; wounded at second Manassas. 
Christian, R. W. 

Christian, W. Armstead, wounded at Meem's Hill in 1864. 
Christian, William. 

Clarke, A. Trent, wounded at Hawes' Shop in 1863. 
Clarke, John D., Sergeant. 

Clay, Henry C, wounded by accident ; died at home in 1863. 
Crenshaw, A. P. 

Crenshaw, Miles K., discharged in 18G2. 

Crump, James H., 1st Sergeant ; promoted Lieutenant ; then Captain and A. Q. M. 
Dean. 

Douthat, Fielding L., in the naval service a short time. 
Douthat, Robert, Captain ; promoted Major ; resigned, 
Easley, William H. 
Eggleston, Robert I. 
Evans. Archer H., detailed as sutler. 
Folkes, Richard S. 

Fuqua, William H., ambulance driver. 
Gill, Andrew N. 

Gordon, Robert H., captured and died in 1864. 
Gordon, Wm. H. 
Graves, John E., transferred to 53d Virginia Infantry. 



450 



APPENDIX. 



Graves, John F. 

Graves, Wm. C. 

Guy, Frank, promoted Captain; resigned. 

Guy, Lewis. 

Guy, Warner, placed on special duty or discharged. 

Harrison, B. C, promoted Surgeon. 

Harrison, B. H., Lieutenant ; promoted Captain; killed at Malvern HQL 

Harrison, Thos. P., Corporal. 

Harrison, Wm. A., discharged in 1862. 

Harwood, B. F., wounded at Gettysburg. 

Harwooo, John M., wounded. 

Harwood, R. E., wounded at second Manassas. 

Harwood, William, captured and died in prison in 1864. 

Harwood, Wm. H., promoted Lieutenant ; killed near Farmville, April 8, 1865. 

Haynes, Wm. E. u..,-- 

Holt, Wm. A. 

Hubbard, E. B., wounded at Buckland in 1863 ; discharged in 1861. 

Hughes, John N. 

Jerdone, Frank. 

Lacy, Robert E. 

Lacy, Wm. H. 

Lame, James A., wounded in 18G2. 

Lamb, John, promoted Captain ; wounded three times ; captured and a prisoner one week. 

Lipscomb, Egbert. 

Lipscomb, Matthew, killed at Hawes' Shop in 1S64. 

Major, Edward. 

Manly, Wm. H., captured. 

Marston, E. G. 

Marston, John H. 

Marston, Littlebury A., wounded at Kelly's Ford, March 17, 1863. 

Marston, O. D., captured. 

Mountcastle, Freeman. 

mountcastle, r. b. 

Mountcastle, V. J. 

Munford, R. W. C, died in 1863. 
Nelson, Heber. 

Nelson, Philip, wounded in Maryland in 1864. 

Newstep. 

Parsons, killed at Malvern Hill. 

Pollard, Thos. F., promoted Lieutenant in 1864. 

Pollard, Wm. L. 

Pryor, Samuel, killed in 1861 ; the first man, save Jackson at Alexandria, killed on our side. 

Roane, Junius, promoted Surgeon. 

Royal, John P., discharged in 1862. 

Saunders, E. A., transferred to Q. M. Dept. 

Selden, John, promoted Captain and A. C. S. 

Slater, Selden. 

Southall, James B. 

Taylor, Chas. W., promoted 1st Sergeant. 

Upshur, Wm. J., promoted Assistant Surgeon. 

Waddill, L. A. 

Walker, Charles. 

Walker, Clayton. 

Walker, John L. 

Walker, R. C. 

Walker, Thos. L., wounded at Kelly's Ford and at Todd's Tavern ; captured in 1864. 

Walker, Valentine. Sergeant; promoted to Lieutenant ; resigned. 

Walker, Wyatt B., discharged in 1861. 

Ware, James H., discharged in 1S64 ; lost an arm in the service. 

Ware, William H. 

Warriner, Wm. A., captured in Maryland, and died in prison in 1864. 

Whitehurst, Seth. 

Willcox, James W., Sergeant ; killed at Trevillian's Station, 1864. 

Willcox, Jo. Lamb, killed in 1862 on his farm by negro soldiers. 

Willcox, Robert W. 

Wfllcox, Thos. W., Lieutenant ; resigned and served as enrolling officer. 

Winston, Wm. A., served on General Rosser's staff the last year of the war. 

Young, Thomas. 

ROLL OF COMPANY E. NOTTOWAY COUNTY. 

Captain J. E. Jones ; resigned in 1861. 

1.5/ Lieutenant, F. C Williams ; resigned in 1861. 

2d Lieutenant, G. W. Irby. 

3d. Lieutenant, C. A. Jones ; elected Captain in the fall of 1861 ; died in January, 1862. 

1st Sergeant, P. A. Fowlkes ; discharged as over age. 

2d Sergeant, W. B Motly ; transferred to the artillery. 

3d Sergeant, J. S. Fowlkes ; discharged from bad health in 18C1. 

4th Sergeant, R. S. Osborn ; put in a substitute. 






ROLL OF THIRD VIRGINIA CAVALRY. 451 

1st Corporal, T. H. Vacghan ; promoted to Orderly Sergeant in June, 1863. 
'_'./ ( 'orporal, T. B. Kpes ; elected Lieutenant, and resigned in 1801. 
3d Corporal, A. B. Jones ; elected Lieutenant in 1802. 
ith Corporal, R. A. Allen ; put in a substitute in 1862. 



Allen, P. H. 

Beverly, R. H., discharged as overage. 
Booth, A. J., killed at Mount Jackson in 1864. 
Booth, E. G., promoted Assistant Surgeon in C. S. Navy. 
Bubk, J. S., transferred to infantry in 1863. 
Cak i eii, A. O. 

Carter, W. R., elected Captain in 1862 ; promoted as Major and Lieutenant-Colonel of the regi- 
ment ; wounded at Treviilian's Station, June, 1864, and died of the wound 
Cox, J., died in 1851. 
Cralle, G. A. 
Cralle, G. T. 

Deane, E. S., wounded at Yellow Tavern in 1864. 
Dupuy, W. A. 

Dyson, R., wounded at Warrenton Springs, 1863. 
Dyson, T. B., discharged at Yorktown, 1861. 
Epes, A. J., transferred to artillery in 1864. 
Epes, F. 
Epes, J. F. 

Epes, P. B., wounded at Mitchell's Shop, May 9, 1864. 
Epes, T. G. 

Epes, T. W., discharged in 1861. 
Fanning, J. 
Farley, J. E. 

FlTZGERALD, A. J. 

Fitzgerald, F., wounded at Five Forks, April, 1865. 

Fitzgerald, H. A., killed in Hanover, 18G4. 

Fitzgerald, J. W., wounded and captured at Spottsylvania C. H., May 8, 1864. 

Fitzgerald, P. H., wounded 1861 ; elected Lieutenant in 1862. 

Fitzgerald, T. F. 

Fitzgerald, W., wounded at Spottsylvania C. H., May 8, 1864. 

Fitzgerald, W. T. 

Foster, J. R., wounded at Kelly's Ford, 1863. 

Foster, T., killed at Funkstown, Md., in 1863. 

Foster, W. B., wounded at Treviilian's Station, June, 1864, and died of the wound. 

Fowlkes, H. B., discharged at Yorktown in 1861. 

Fowlkes, W., discharged as over age. 

Fowlkes, W. N., wounded at Treviilian's Station in 1864. 

Garnet, promoted to Surgeon. 

Goulder, J. E. W., transferred to artillery in 1863. 

Guy, F. W., killed at Hanover in 1864. 

Guy, W. S., elected Lieutenant in 1S63 ; wounded at Shepherdstown in 1863. 

Hardaway, D. H. promoted as Assistant-Surgeon in Richmond. 

Hardaway, .T. S., wounded at Treviilian's Station, June, 1864. 

Hardy. G. M., wounded in 1S63. 

Ha- kins, A. B. 

Haskin-. E. 

Haukes, A. E., wounded at Treviilian's Station, June, 1864. 

Hawked G. H., wounded at Hanover in 1864. 

Hawkes R. A. 

Haukes \V. J. 

Hays, L. H. 

Housbn, E. H. 

Hyde, R. H., killed in Charles City, 1864. 

Ingram, J. F., died June, 1861. 

Ingram, R. H. 

Ingram, W. M. 

Irby, J. L., wounded at Mitchell's Shop, May 9, 1864. 

Ibby, W. M. 

Jackson, L., taken prisoner April, 1865, died in prison. 

Jeter. R. T., wounded at Warrenton Springs, 1863. 

Jones, G. W., put in a substitute in 1862. 

Jorden, W. L., wounded at Mt. Jackson, 1864. 

King 

Lex, J , transferred to infantry in 1863. 

Locket, J. 

Mann. W F., detailed in Commissary Department, 1863. 

McCi llock, E. 

McCune, T. W., detailed teamster. 

Miller, A. C, died of consumption, 1864. 

Oliver, J. T., wounded at Buckland, 1863. 

Oliver, M. J., wounded at Raccoon Ford, 1863. 

Pettus, T. F. 



452 



APPENDIX. 



Pbttus, W. H., wounded at Mitchell's Shop, May 9, 1864. 

Phoenix, E., detailed teamster, 1802. 

Pollard, J. W. 

Pryor, R. A., taken prisoner near Petersburg, 1864. 

Puryeak, K. A. 

Scott, E., transferred to artillery in 1862. 

Scott, J. A. 

Slaushter, A. W. 

Slaughter, E. F., detailed blacksmith. 

Slaughter, P. C. 

Smith J. F., detailed in Signal Corps in 1862. 

Stith, J. W. detailed Color-Bearer. 

Tucker, J. M., killed near Strausburg, 1863. 

Tuggle, W. R., wounded three times. 

Vaughan, J. D., killed at Spottsylvania C. H., May 8, 1864. 

Vaughan, J. H., killed at Yellow Tavern, May, 1804. 

Vaughan, Trives, elected 1st Lieutenant in 1861 ; died, August, 1862. 

Vaughan, W. B., discharged. 

Vaughan, W. T. 

Warren, R. E. 

Watson, J. S. 

Watson, M 

Webster, F. A., died in Richmond Hospital, July, 1862. 

ROLL, OF COMPANY F. NEW KENT COUNTY. 

Captain, Melville Vaiden, died December, 1861. 

\st Lieutenant, George T. Bromley, resigned August, 1861. 

Id Lieutenant, Telemachus Taylor, promoted as Captain, May, 1862 ; resigned July, 1862. 

Brevet 2d Lieutenant, Win. E. Clopton, resigned September, 1862. 

1st Sergeant, O. M. Chandler, promoted 2d Lieutenant, September, 1861 ; resigned May, 1862. 

Southey L. Savage, promoted 2d Lieutenant, December, 1861 ; resigned May, 1862. 

Sergeant J. C. Williams. 

Sergeant W. N. F. Jones, 

Sergeant C. M. Jones, died in 1S62. 

Corporal, James S. Christian, promoted as 2d Lieutenant, May, 1862 ; killed at Sharpsburg, 1862. 

Corporal, George W. Tyree, promoted Sergeant. 

Corporal, W. H. Vaughan, died in 1862. 

Corporal, W A. Hicks. 

Corporal, W. Mills, captured in 1864. 

Cumber, Wm. M., bugler. 

Quartermaster, Wm. L. Wilkinson, retired from service in 1861. 

privates. 
Afperson, John C 

Apperson, Richard C, promoted to Captain in 53d regiment Virginia Infantry, 1863. 
Apperson, Robert C, promoted to Sergeant; captured in 1S64. 
Apperson, Samuel H., promoted to Sergeant ; wounded at Kelly's Ford, 1863. 
Apperson, W. A. 

Atkinson, H. A., captured in May, 1864. 
Atkinson, W. E. 
Atkinson, W. F. 
Baldwin, G. I. 
Blayton, John. 
Blayton, Wm. N. 
Boswell, J. W. 
Boyd, George G. 

Bradenham, John R., promoted as 1st Corporal ; died in 1862. 
Bradley, Pleasant. 
Bradley, Robert. 
Burnett, W. W. 
Burr, H. D. 
Clarke, R. A. 
Clarke, W. A. 
Clarke, W. R. 
Chandler, T. L. 
Christian, A. 
Christian. J. D. 

Christian, Jones R., promoted as Captain in 1862; captured in 1864. 
Christian, R. O. 

Christian, W. promoted as Sergeant. 
Christian, W. C, wounded at Kelly's Ford, in 1863. 
Cooke, W. A. 
Crump, D. S. 

Crump, E. M., promoted as 2d Lieutenant in 1862 ; wounded and captured near Luray in 1864. 
Crump, H. C 

Crump, H. F., wounded at Hawes' Shop in 1864. 
Crump, J. W., Commissary. 



ROLL OF THIRD VIRGINIA CAVALRY. 453 

Crump, Z. T. 

Dandridgb, B. C. 

Davis, J. A. 

Davis, W. B. 

Dickson, R. L. 

Elliott, W. A. 

Ellyson, A. B., captured in May, 1864. 

Ellyson, J. D., killed at Funkstown, Md., in 1864. 

Ellyson, L. G., promoted Sergeant. 

Ellyson, S. W. 

Estes, J. M., captured in May, 1864. 

Estes, J. W. 

Frayser, R. E., promoted as Captain of Signal Corps on the staff of Major-General J. E. B. Stu- 
art, August 30, 1862. 

Gilliam, T. Q. 

Gilliam, W. O., died in 1862 in Military Hospital 

Goodin, John T. 

Gregory, W. T., promoted as Surgeon in 1862. 

Gunn, J. M., captured in May, 1864. 

Harman, Ben C. 

Hill, B. W. 

Hill, Geo. W. 

Hill, J. A. 

Hubbard, Ben C. 

Hubbard, Bolae S. 

Hubbard, John. 

Hubbard, Wii. N. 

Johnson, S. L. 

Jones, Charles R. 

Jones, W. W. 

Lacy, B. W., promoted to 1st Lieutenant, Dec, 1862; wounded at Kelly's Ford in 1863, and at 
Nance's Shop in 1864. 

Lacy, R. T., wounded at Brandy Station in 1862, and at the Yellow Tavern in 1864; retired from 
service disabled. 

Lacy, T. S. 

Larus, Thos. P. 

Lipscombe, W. I., captured in 1864. 

Marston, W. W., promoted as Surgeon in 1862. 

McKenzie, Jas., wounded at Kelly's Ford in 1863. 

Meanly, J. P. 

Mills, J. W. 

Mills, W. P. 

Mlnor, E. C, promoted as 1st Sergeant; lost an arm near Luray in 1864; disabled, and retired 
from service. 

Mosely, B. W. 

Mosely. R. D. 

Odell, J. D. 

Parish, Bertram. 

Parkinson, Jno. F., wounded at Nance's Shop in 1864. 

Parkinson, J. W., wounded near Upperville in 1862. 

Parr, J. L. 

Pierce, J. 

Poe, John, Jr. 

Pollard, W. A., promoted as Second Corporal, and Sergeant ; wounded at Nance's Shop in 1864 ; 
disabled, and retired from service. 

POMFREY, G. M. 
POMFREY, W. A. 

Porter, J. H. 

Rabineau, W., captured in 1864. 

Ratcliffe, W. T., captured in 1864. 

Richardson, Jno. A. 

Royster, Junius C. , captured in 1864. 

Royster, L. 

Slater, John S. 

Slater, L. A., promoted as Surgeon in 1862. 

Spencer, J. D., shot through the body, near Tunstall's Station, in 1864; disabled and retired. 

Stamper, H. W. , promoted as 2d Lieutenant in 1862. 

Talbott, Chas. H. 

Talley, R. W. 

Taylor, R. S., wounded at New Market in 1862. 

Terrell, W. A. 

TlMBERLAKE. J. P. 

Turner, E. P., promoted as Major on the staff of General J. B. Magruder; transferred to trans- 
Mississippi department in 1862. 
Turner, George W. 
Turner, Hezekiah. 
Vaidf.n, G. 
Vaiden, J. B. 
Vaiden, Mica j ah. 



454 



APPENDIX. 



Vaiden, V., captured in 1864. 

Waring, T. B., wounded and captured at Boonsboro', Md., in 1862. 

Waring, W. H. 

White, W. F., captured in 1864. 

Whitlock, R. H., promoted as Sergeant ; wounded at Nance's Shop in 1864 ; disabled and retired. 

Wilkes, C. T. 

Wilkinson, L. 

Williams, R. L. 

Woodward, W., captured in 1864. 

Wright, G. T. 

Young, H., captured in 1864. 

ROLL OF COMPANY G. CUMBERLAND COUNTY. 

Captain, Henry R. Johnson ; resigned in 1861. 

1st Lieutenant, T. F. Wilson ; resigned ; promoted Major Confederate States Army. 

2d Lieutenant, B. J. Allen ; resigned. 

Brev. Id Lieutenant, Wm. A. Perkins ; promoted Captain, and resigned. 

1st Sergeant, H. L. Blanton ; detailed in Quartermaster's Department. 

Sergeant, V. B. Jeffries ; detailed in hospital. 

Sergeant, G. M. Ryals ; promoted Major, and Provost-Marshal on Stuart's staff. 

Sergeant, J. W. Garret ; wounded. 



Adams, H. K. 

Adams, T. H., captured at Mitchell's Shop in 1864. 

Agee, John. 

Allen, Carey A., wounded in 1862. 

Allen, E. J. 

Allen, Jno. A. , captured in Culpeper County. 

Allen, Joseph L., discharged. 

Allen, R. B., wounded at Hawes' Shop in 1864. 

Amos, L. C. 

Anderson, James A. 

Anderson, P. E., discharged. 

Anderson, Red, died in Richmond. 

Armistead, James M., discharged. 

Ayres, Powhatan, wounded at Mitchell's Shop in 1864. 

Baldwin, B. B., captured at Mitchell's Shop. 

Banks, J. L., promomoted 2d Lieutenant; wounded at Boonsboro' in 1862; captured at Five 

Forks in 1865. 
Berryman, Bradus. 
Blanton, A. H. 

Blanton, B. W. L., wounded near Hampton. 
Blanton, D. A. , wounded and captured at Front Royal. 
Blanton, F. B., discharged. 
Blanton, J. M., discharged. 
Blanton, M. D., wounded near Hampton. 

Bolling, John, promoted Sergeant-Major of the 3d Virginia Cavalry. 
Booker, F. H., discharged. 
Booker, Samuel F. , discharged. 
Branton, Richard A. 
Branton, W. A., wounded. 
Brown, Bentley, died in Farmville. 
Brown, D. H. 
Brown, P. A. 
Bryant, James. 

Bryant, Silas S. , killed at Nance's Shop. 
Cabell, Fred., captured at Mitchell's Shop. 
Clarke, Charley, killed at Trevillian's Station. 
Clarke, Frank. 

Clarke, James E., captured at Five Forks. 
Clarke, Thomas. 
Clopton, W. D., discharged. 
Cocke, Preston, wounded near Bridgewater. 
Cocke, T. L. P. 
Coleman, Josiah. 

Coleman, Samuel F., wounded and captured at Mitchell's Shop. 
Corson, W. C. 
Cox, John B., discharged. 
Crowder, Wm. R., discharged. 
Crump, Geo. G. 
Dandjl, Jno. Cheslet. 
Daniel, John S., discharged. 
Daniel, William, discharged. 
Dowdy, C. H., wounded at Buckland. 
Dowdy, James H. 



ROLL OF THIRD VIRGINIA CAVALRY. 455 

Dowdy, William, captured, and died at Elmira, N. T. 

Exall, Turner. 

Flhtf.n, Hartwei.l, wounded at Kaccoon Ford. 

Flippen, M. A., captured. 

Ford, Boaz, wounded at Stevensburg. 

Ford, S. A. 

Foster, Jno. T. 

Foster, P. B. 

Fowler, John, killed at Kelly's Ford. 

Fowler, Thos. N., lost an arm at Trevillian's Station. 

French, Thos. N. 

Fuqua, Jos., discharged. 

Garrett, Edward, promoted 2d Lieutenant, and 1st Lieutenant; wounded at Hawes' Shop in 

lSi',4 ; killed at Five Forks, 1865. 
Garrett, J. A. 
Goodman, C. T. 

Goodman, H. F., wounded at Kelly's Ford. 
Goodman, J. Wesley, wounded and captured at Mitchell's Shop. 
Goodman, R B. 

Goodman, Warren F., captured in Stafford Coimty. 
Grigg, Edward, died at Burkeville in 18G2. 
Grigg, E. H., captured near King's Wharf in 1862. 
Guigg, Jas. A. 

Guthrie, Walter L., wounded at Trevillian's Station. 
Harris, Henry. 
Harris, J. E., discharged. 
Hazlegrove, P. R. 

Hendrick, Jno. E., captured at Mitchell's Shop and died in prison. 

Hubard, R. T., promoted 2d Lieutenant ; promoted Adjutant of the 3d Virginia Cavalry. 
Hubard, T. H. 

Irving, Joseph K., discharged and died. 

Isbell, James D., promoted 1st Lieutenant and Captain ; died in service. 
Jeffries, J. M., promoted Orderly Sergeant ; wounded at Boousboro' and at Kelly's Ford. 
Jeter, Rodophil, killed at Mitchell's Shop. 
Johnson, Hugh, discharged. 
Jones, Joe R. 
Jones, John H. 
Jones, W. W., wounded at Kelly's Ford. 

King. John. 

Matthews, Geo. H., promoted 1st Lieutenant and Captain ; killed at Mitchell's Shop on May 9, 
1864. 

Mayo. Frank, killed in Amelia County. 

Mayo, Geo. B., wounded at the Yellow Tavern. 

Mayo, Joseph, wounded at Mount Jackson. 

McClellan, H. B., promoted Adjutant of the 3d Virginia Cavalry, and Major, and A. A. G. on 
the staff of General Stuart. 

McLaurin, Archer, killed at Mitchell's Shop. 

McLaurin, Leigh, died during the war. 

NcNamee, Grigry, transferred to artillery ; lost a leg in battle and died from the wound. 

Miles. Marcus, detailed in Commissary Dept. 

Miller. Jno. T., discharged in 1861. 

Mosby, W. G. 

Nicholas, H. B., wounded. 

Nuckols, Frank, wounded. 

Overton. Branch, killed at Mitchell's Shop. 

Overton, William, killed in the Valley. October 9, 1864. 

Page, Robert, promoted Brev. 2d Lieutenant. 

Paxmore, C. R., promoted 1st Lieutenant and Captain ; wounded at Mitchell's Shop ; captured at 
Front Royal. 

Palmare, James, died near Yorktown. 

Palmore, S. S., wounded at Boousboro'. 

Parker. Jno. J., wounded. 

Parker, W. J. 

Perkins, George. 

Phillips, J. B., captured in night fight near the Burnt Furnace. 

Powers, Geo. W. 

Powers, T. H., died during the war. 

Powers, W. J. 

Price, Daniel D. 

Price, George. 

Price, W. D., wounded at Raccoon Ford. 

Pride, T. H., killed in Spottsylvania County. 

Raine, H. M. 

Raine, Michaox. 

Ransom, W. A. 

Richardson, Daniel, transferred to infantry. 

Robinson, J. J., captured at Mitchell's Shop. 

Robinson, W. L. , captured at Mitchell's Shop. 

Rucker, Houston. 



456 



APPENDIX. 



Rutherford, Robert, died during the war. 

Ryals, John V., wounded at Mitchell's Shop. 

Scott, Welden, discharged. 

Shepard, W. B., wounded. 

Shores, Jno. F. 

Smith, G. M. 

Snoddy, Robert H. 

Spencer, John. 

Spencer, J. A., discharged. 

Spindle, Wllliam. 

Stephenson, J. W., missing. 

Swann, Henry. 

Talley, Jack W., wounded. 

Taylor, J. R. 

Tony, H. C, wounded. 

Towles, Thos. O., discharged. 

Trent, Jno. A. 

Trent, Peter, F. 

Trent, R. B., died near Fredericksburg. 

Walden, Jno. E. 

Walker, W. D. 

Walton, T. B. S., wagon master. 

Watkins, Ben., discharged. 

Wilson, Mat, captured at Mitchell's Shop 

Womack, Nathan, discharged. 

Wood, Leroy. 

Wood, R. S. 

Woodson, Beverly, 

Woodson, Charley, discharged. 

Woodson, Galitine, discharged and died during the war. 

Woodson, Jno. P., discharged. 

Woodson, Miller. 

ROLL OF COMPANY H. HALIFAX CATAWBA, HALIFAX COUNTY. 

Captain, Wllliam Collins ; died of disease in service, November, 1SC4. 

1st Lieutenant, Henry Carrington ; captured at Aldie, June 17, 18C2 ; promoted as Captain of 

company and Major of 3d Virginia Cavalry. 
2d Lieutenant, William Mllner : died of disease after leaving army. 
Brer. 2d Lieutenant, Thos. C. Rice ; died of disease in service in June or July, 1862. 
1st Serf/emit, Wm. T Green. 
2d Sergeant, James W. Green 
3d Sergeant, Willis Johnson. 
4th Sergeant, James V. Garner. 
1st Corpora/, Frank J. Clarke. 
2d Corporal, John C. LaPrade. 
3rf Corporal, Joseph G. Davis. 
4th Corporal, Aaron J. Hodges. 

privates. 

Adams, Edward L. 

Adams, John M. 

Adams, Riban M., discharged as a tanner. 

Allen, Henry C. 

Barksdale, Anthony S., discharged as over age. 

Barley, Evan S. 

Berkley, Pi'blius J. 

Buster, John G. 

Cage, Elam. 

Cage, Jes e D. 

Cage, Joseph. 

Canada, Sherod, discharged as over age in 1862. 

Coates, Wm. W. 

Connor, Benjamin W., captured at Aldie, June 17, 1863. 

Dejarnett, Daniel E., died of disease in service. 

Dejarnett, George. 

Dejarnett, Housen S., bugler. 

Fisher, George. 

Fisher, John M. 

Glass, Thos. D., killed in battle June, 1864. 

Green, John A. 

Hill, William M., died of wounds, June, 1864. 

Hubbard, Joel, Jr. 

Hubbard, Samuel C, wounded twice. 

Irby, James R., killed in battle, July, 1864. 

Jennings, James R. 

Jennings, William R. 

Jones, James M., discharged for physical disability, 1861. 



ROLL OF THIRD VIRGINIA CAVALRY. 457 

McCulloch, Henry T. 

McCulloch, Jeffrey J. 

McCulloch, Jesse F. 

Morepield, William C. 

Morgan, Henry A. 

Neal, Thomas A., killed in battle, September, 18G4. 

Ne.veill, George J. 

Owen, James H. 

Parker, William T. 

Raine, Robert M. 

Roarke, George R. 

Stjwe, Henry C. 

Thornton, Felix F. 

Tucker, Hinton G., died of disease in service. 

Tynes, Isaac J. 

Waller, Christofer C. 

Waller, John W. 

West, Moses E. 

ROLL OF COMPANY I. DINWIDDLE COUNTY. 

Cup/fin, Wm. A. Adams ; killed in a personal difficulty with some unknown soldiers. 

1st Lieutenant, E. O. Fitzgerald ; from beginning to end of war. 

2d Lieutenant, Wm. M. Field; promoted to Captain, and Lieutenant-Colonel of the 3d Virginia 

Cavalry ; wounded at Hawes' Shop, May '28, 1SG4. 
Brev. 2d Lieutenant, Hedrian A. Neayes ; resigned. 
1st Sergeant, Berryman J. Hill ; promoted Brev. 2d Lieutenant, and 2d Lieutenant ; killed at 

Trevillian's Station, June 12, 1S64. 
2d Sergeant, James 0. Perkins ; discharged in 1802. 
3d Sergeant, Joseph H. Bourdon ; promoted Brev. 2d Lieutenant ; killed at Hawes' Shop, May 

28, 1SU4. 
4th Sergeant, Thomas Thweatt; put in a substitute. 
1st Corporal, F. Fitzgerald Thweatt. 
2d Corporal, Henry Cousins; transferred; died 1884. 
3d ' 'orporal, Wm. H. Spicely ; died June 4, 18G2, in Dinwiddie. 
4th Corporal, Thomas W. Orgain ; mortally wounded at Hawes' Shop, May 28, 1864. 

privates. 
Aberxathy, I. H. 
Allen, S. Dudley. 
Barner, John R. 

Barner, Thomas J., captured May 8, 1864. 
Bass, Wm. C, teamster. 
Bishop, B. Emmet, wounded. 
Bishop, J. W., promoted 4th Sergeant. 
Bishop, W. B. 
Bishop, Wm. \V. 

Blankexship, E. J., enlisted as a substitute. 
Blankexship, J. G., enlisted as a substitute. 
Boisseau, Benj. G., discharged. 

Boisseau, Richd. E., promoted 2d Sergeant; afterward elected 3d Lieutenant, 1864. 
Boisseau, Robert G., detailed as enrolling officer ; died at home, 1875. 
Booths, Thos. E., wounded May 9, 1S62, on the Peninsula ; detailed to hospital service. 
Bourdon, Thos. C. 

Brown, R. W., wounded May 9, 1862, and October 9, 1864. 
Cabaniss, J. S., died May 29, 1862. 
Cairns, Thos. J. 
Chappell, George W. 

Chappell, James M., enlisted as a substitute. 
Chappell, Dr. Oliver W., discharged. 
Chappell, Richd. 
Chappell, Thomas J., deserted. 
Claiborne, George, elected Corporal, 1864. 
Cleatox, Thos. J. 
Cleaton, William. 
Coleman, Thos. D. 

Connelly, Wm. D., transferred to Pickett's Division, 1862. 
Crittenton, J no. T., wounded by accident, May 23, 1862. 
Crowder. Thos. W. 

Crump, Jho. L., discharged June 3, 1862 ; died. 
Cunningham, J. E. , enlisted as a substitute ; wounded in Maryland. 

Dance, Alex. A., promoted 3d Corporal ; wounded March 17, 1863, at Kelly's Ford ; lost an eye. 
Davis, Wm. J. 
Dodd, Robert V. 

Doyle, Dr. C W., detailed March 29, 1862. 
Doyle, Wm. F., transferred to Pickett's Division. 
Elmore, Robert A. 
Epes, Andrew J., transferred to Co. E, Nottoway troop. 



458 



APPENDIX. 



Eppes, Robert S., wounded at Spottsylvania C. H., May 8, 1864. 

Epps, Peterson H., put in a substitute. 

Ford, Benj. W., taken prisoner May 4, 18G2. 

Fraser, John L., promoted 1st Corporal ; mortally wounded May 24, 1864, in Charles City Co. 

Gibbon, Charles, put in a substitute. 

Gibbs, Samuel, blacksmith. 

Goodwin, Geo. W., discharged. 

Greenway, James, died May 22, 1862. 

Griswold, Richd. W. , put in a substitute. 

Hargrave, Isham E., transferred. 

Harmon, John W., discharged ; injured by lightning. 

Harrison, T. Laban, substitute ; wounded June 12, 1864. 

Hawkins, Wm. J., died. , 

Hayes, Junius. 

Hill, Powhatan, substitute until old enough to volunteer ; wounded at Raccoon Ford, November 
30, 18G3. 

Hill, Rowland, substitute until old enough to volunteer. 

Hitchcock, J. F. A., captured May 15, 1SG2 ; died July 27, 1862, in prison. 

Hobbs, Albert, died in hospital at Burkeville, 18C4. 

Hobbs, T. H. 

Howekton, J. W. E. 

Hyde, Richard H., transferred to Co. E ; killed in 1S64. 

Htdbn, M. B., discharged May 24, 1SG2. 

Jackson, Jos. F., wounded May 8, 1864, at Buckland. 

Jackson, Robert G., wounded May 9, 1862, at Buckland. 

Johnson, Bexj. W., discharged May 10, and died May 16, 1862. 

Johnson, T. B., promoted 4th Corporal, 1862. 

Jolly, Benj. J., wounded, and died May 24, 1864. 

Jolly, C. P., wounded June 12, 1864. 

Jolly, Wm. H. 

Jones, Caius J., promoted 3d Sergeant ; wounded June 24, 1864. 

Jones, Francis A., wounded June 3, 1863, and May 7, 1864. 

Keech, C. A., a refugee from Maryland ; a substitute to enable himself to get a horse ; wounded 

June 24, and September 22, 1864. 
Maddux, Thos. C, wounded at Hawes' Shop, May 28, 1864. 
Major, Robert S., promoted to 3d Sergeant ; discharged ; injured by lightning. 
Meade, David A., wounded at Hawes' Shop, May 28, 1864. 
Meade, Oliver. 

Meredith, Jas. A., promoted 2d Corporal, 1863. 
Mitchell, Green L. 
Morris, Wm. H., died at home, 187-. 

Nunnally, Robert, wounded May 7, 1864 ; substitute for W. A. Nunnally. 
Nunnally, W. A. 
Nunnally, W. T., wounded.. 

Orgain, Albert M., wounded at Strausburg, in 1864. 
Orgain, Henry E. 

Parham, Dr. M. Dibbrel, detailed for hospital service, 1862. 
Percivall, Jos. J. 

Perkins, Edwd. L., promoted 1st Sergeant ; wounded May 8, 1864, at Mount Jackson. 
Perkins, George. 

Perkins, Richd. H., promoted 2d Corporal ; transferred to 12th regiment infantry. 
Perkins, T. Archer, killed at Spottsylvania, May 8, 1864. 
Perkins, W. E., transferred to Pickett's Division, 1S62. 
Pinchbeck, Wm. J., a substitute. 
Pool, Ai olphus P., transferred. 
Pool, E. T. P., transferred. 

Powell, A. T., wounded at Upperville, Va., November 3, 1862. 
Powell, Edward T., transferred. 
Powell, Dr. Eugene C, detailed as hospital steward. 
Richardson, Wm. H., discharged May 24, 1S62. 
Rives, Thos. F., Co. clerk; appointed October, 1862. 
Rives, Virgil A. 

Rogerson, Wm. H., promoted 2d Lieutenant, 1S62; resigned. 
Roney, J. N., discharged. 

Scott, Peter H., detailed in Commissary Department. 
Scott, Washington T., deserted. 
Seay, I. W. 

Skinner, Geo. W., wounded at Warrenton Springs, June 3, 1863. 
Smith, Elijah, wounded May 7, 1864. 
Smith, Geo. W. 

Spencer, Dr. R. Munfobd, detailed Assistant Surgeon, June 12, 1862 ; died. 
Spiers, Benj. H. 

Stable, Wm. H., detailed June 6, 186- ; ward clerk in hospital. 
Stith, John A. 

Stone, Robert T., detailed April 15, 186-, 
Sturdivant, J. W., detailed July 15, 1862. 
Sydnor, L. R. 
Tanner, Melville W. 
Taylob, J. E. 



ROLL OF THIRD VIRGINIA CAVALRY. 459 

Taylor, T. J. 

Thomas, D. S., a prisoner in Fort Delaware for 11 months. 
Thompson, E. W., wounded May 8, l>t;4. 

Thwbatt, Archibald, Jr., promoted 2d Lieutenant; captured May 8, 1864. 
Thwkatt, R. B., wounded at Mount Jackson, 1804. 
Travis, E. W. 

Tucker, Dr. John H., detailed June 10, 1862. 
Tucker. R. E. 
Webb, W. A. 

Wells, A. S., wounded May 9, 1SG2 ; died June 9, 1862. 
Wells, Flournoy W. 

Weils, Marvin P., wounded June 3, 1863. 
Wells, Robert D., discharged. 

White, Jos. L., wounded at Trevillian's Station, June 12, 1864. 
Williams, J. Prentiss, wounded May 28, 1864. 
Williams, Thos. D., bugler; discharged. 
Williamson, Emmet R. 
Williamson, R. W. 

Worsham, Patrick H., died June 5, 1862. 
Wynne, R. L., transferred. 
Wynne, Wm. G., died May 20, 1862. 
Young, Jas. Andrew. 

Young, James B., killed at Warrenton, November, 5, 1863. 

Young, John E., promoted 4th Corporal ; wounded at Trevillian's Station, June 12, 1864 ; lost an 
arm. 

ROLL OF COMPANY K. PRINCE EDWARD COUNTY. 

Captain, Jno. T. Thornton ; elected Lieutenant-Colonel in 1862 ; killed at Antietam, September 

17, ISO'J, while in command of the regiment. 
1st Lieutenant, Peyton R. Berkeley ; elected Captain in 18G2 ; resigned in 1803. 
2d Lieutenant, Richard Stoker ; retired at the reorganization in 1862. 
/.'." ■ . 2d Lieutenant, F. D. Redd; retired at the reorganization in 1862. 
1*/ Sergeant, E. N. Price. 
2d Sergeant, Jno. H. Knight; promoted to 2d Lieutenant, and 1st Lieutenant in 1SC3, and to 

Captain in 1864 ; wounded at the White House. 
3d 8t rgeant, R. B. Berkeley ; transferred to infantry, 1863. 
itli Sergeant. F. H. Scott. 
Corporal, L. M. Pentck. 
Corporal, R. W. Daley. 
Corporal, A. B. Cralle. 
Corporal, D. J. Allen. 

privates. 
Allen, H. A. 
Anderson, C. B. 
Anderson, C. T. 
Anderson, F. C. 
Anderson, H. T. 
Armistead, D. L. 
Arvin. M. L. 

Baker, J. A., wounded at Front Royal in 1863 ; and at Spottsylvania in 1864. 
Baklr, J. W. 

Bell, Jas. A., elected Lieutenant in 1862, and resigned in 1863. 
Bondubant, C. A., wounded at Kelly's Ford, March 17, 1863. 
bondurant, jno. j. 
bondurant, s. j. 
bondurant, s. w. 
Booker, George. 
Booker, J. H. 
Booker, W. D. 
Bragg, A. A. 
Bruce. S. A. 
Bruce, W. A. 
Chaffin, Jno. 
Crapton, W. T. 

Cunningham, Jno. R., badly wounded at Kelly's Ford, March 17, 1863. 
Daniel, Jno. W. 
Dicklnson, Jno. P. 
Dickinson, R. M. 

Dupuy, W. P., wounded at Buckland in 1863, and at Tom's Brook in 1864. 
Edmonds. H. W., badly wounded at Kelly's Ford, March 17, 1863. 
Elliott, F. L. 

Elliott, R. C, wounded at Hawes' Shop in 1864. 
Evans, W. W., wounded at Front Royal in 1864 
Ewing, J. J. 
Ewing, W. H. 
Flournoy, Chas. 
Flournoy, Jno. J., wounded and discharged in 1863. 



460 



APPENDIX. 



Foster, Rolin. 

Fowlkes G. W. 

Fowlkes, J. D. 

Garrett, Lafayette. 

Guthrie, J. H. 

Harvy, W. T., good soldier. 

Haskins, A. A., promoted 2d Lieutenant in 1863. 

Haskins, T. E., promoted 1st Sergeant in 1862. 

holladay, jno. l. 

Hunt, Geo. 

Hunt, Jno. C, General Stuart's orderly, and was lost at Gettysburg. 

Jeffreys, E. T., disabled by disease and discharged. 

Jenkins, Ben. 

Johnson, Harvey, discharged in 1862. 

LOCKETT, E. S. 

Martin, Chas., discharged in 1S62. 

Meridith, H. T., captured in 1862, and elected Lieutenant in 18C3. 

Miller, R. A. 

Morton, W. H. 

Mosley, C. R. 

Nicholas, Geo., a substitute and deserted. 

Penick, F. J 

Price, Daniel. 

Ragsdale, R. H., substitute for A. B. Cralle. 

Redd, C. E. 

Redd, J. A. 

Redd, Jno. H. 

Redd, J. T. 

Redd, J. W. 

Redd, R. L. 

Richardson, W. M. 

Rowette, Jas. C, wounded at Five Forks. 

Rowlett, J. C, lost a leg at Front Royal. 

Scott, Edwin, killed on picket near Newport News. 

Scott, Lafayette, wounded at Kelly's Ford, March 17, 1S63. 

Spencer, J. C, killed in Charles City. 

Spencer, N. B. 

Starling, L. A. 

Sublett, P B. 

Thackston, N., wounded at Louisa C. H. 

Todd, A. H. 

Trueheart, W. C. 

Vex able, A. R., transferred to Q. M. Department and promoted Captain. 

Walton J. F. 

Walton, L. D. 

Walton, R. H. 

Watkins, R. H., elected 1st Lieutenant in 1S62, and Captain in 1863 ; wounded in the Valley of 

Virginia, and retired in 1864. 
West, M. 

Wiley, Oscak, transferred. 
Williams, J. C. 

Wflson, J. H., killed at Hawes' Shop. 
Womack, A. C. 

WOMACK, A. W. 

Womack, D. G. 

Womack, Eugene, killed 1864. 

Womack, W. W. 

Wootton, S. T., wounded at Louisa C. H. 



ROLLS OF COMPANIES B, E, F, AND K, FIRST REGIMENT 
VIRGINIA CAVALRY. 



ROLL OF COMPANY B. BERKELEY COUNTY. 

Captain, G. N. Hammond ; killed at Yellow Tavern, May 11, 1864. 

1st Lieutenant, Wii. K. Light. 

Id Lieutenant, Wm. T. Noll ; promoted as first Lieutenant ; wounded at Gettysburg, July 4, 1863. 

1st Sergeant, John B. Seibert; discharged. 

2d Sergeant, Charles Weller ; discharged. 

3d Sergeant, Robt. H. Stewart ; promoted as 2d Lieutenant ; wounded at Mount Olivet, October 

10, 1864. 
1st Corporal, James N. Cunningham; promoted as Captain ; wounded at Front Royal, August 21, 

and at Rood's Hill, November 23, 1864. 
2d Corporal, Aqtila Janney ; detailed in Qr Mr. Dept. 
3d Corporal, James W. Cushwa ; promoted as 2d Sergeant. 



Armstrong, Archibald, wounded at Spottsylvania, May 8,1864; killed at Martinsburg, July 1, 

1864. 
Auld, Thos. E. 

Boley, Ben. F., wounded at Rood's Hill, November 23, 1864. 
Bowers, Richard H. 

Boyd, John E., promoted as 4th Sergeant. 

Breathed, James W., transferred ; promoted as Captain and Major of the Stuart Horse Artillery. 
Bryarly, Robt. P., promoted as 3d Corporal ; wounded at Tom's Brook, October 9, 1864. 
Buchanan, J. C. 
Burkhart, R. C. 
Carper, Geo. W. 

Catrow, John W., wounded at Slatersville, May 9, 1862. 
Chapman, Jacob A., transferred. 
Combs, J. L. E., bugler; discharged. 
Couchman, David, wounded at Slatersville, May 9, 1862. 
Cunningham, Charles, killed at Winchester, September 19, 1864. 
Cunningham, W. L., wounded at Gettysburg, July 4, 1S63. 
Cushen, R. D. 
Cushwa, Daniel. 

Cushwa, David, promoted as 1st Corporal ; wounded at Rood's Hill, November 23, 1864. 
Cushwa, Seibert. 
Dickinson, Aluert. 
Evans, James W. 

Frieze, A. J., wounded at Spottsylvania, May 9, 1864. 
Frieze. George. 

Gageby, John N., promoted as 1st Sergeant. 
Gladden, George. 
House, Thomas. 
Janney, W. H. H. 
Jefferson, Wm. M. 

Kearfott, James, killed at Wolfstown, Va.. March 2, 1864. 
Kearfott, John P., wounded at Kennon's Landing, June 5, 1864. 
Kilmer, B. S., wounded at Mount Olivet, October 10, 1SG4. 
Kilmer, Daniel. 

Kilmer, David, wounded at Yellow Tavern, May 11, 1864. 
Kilmer, H. D., transferred. 
Koontz, Frank. 
Lee, Otho S. 
Lemen, W. M. 
Lyle, R. G., discharged. 

Manning, Dennis, wounded at Raccoon Ford, October 13, 1803. 
Marshall, Geo. W., promoted as 3d Sergeant ; wounded at Spottsylvania, May 9, 1864. 



462 



APPENDIX. 



Marshall, Joseph, died from disease. 

Mason, James A. 

McClarey, Geo. W. 

McKee, Mayberry. 

Miller, Daniel. 

Mono, Wendel, promoted as 4th Corporal. 

Murphy, James B., killed at Rood's Hill, November 23, 1864. 

Murphy, Richabd. 

Myers, W. H. 

Payne, J. Trip. 

Payne, Martin L. 

Payne, O. F., wounded at Mount Olivet, October 10, 1864. 

Rainer, George. 

Roberts, E. S. 

Roberts, Geo. D. 

Roberts, Wm., wounded at Cedar Creek, October 19, 1864. 

Roush, Charles, wounded at Winchester, August 28, 1864. 

Seibert, Abraham, wounded at Manassas, July 21, 1861 ; discharged. 

Seibert, Eli. 

Seibert, John B., discharged. 

Seibert, Wendel, promoted as 2d Corporal ; wounded at Spottsylvania, May 9, 1864. 

Shepherd, James, transferred. 

Showers, George. 

Silver, Frank, wounded at Rood's Hill, November 23, 1864. 

Silver, Henry. 

Small, David. 

Small, William. 

Strayer, D. J. R., wounded at Manassas, July 21, 1861. 

Strode, P. H. 

Stump, John H., wounded at Yellow Tavern, May 11, 1864. 

Tabb, E. W., discharged. 

Thatcher, David, killed at Buckland Mills, October 19, 1863. 

Thomas, Jacob. 

Van Doren, Meverel. 

Weaver, Charles. 

Weaver, George, killed at Slatersville, Va., May 9, 1862. 

ROLL OF COMPANY E. AUGUSTA COUNTY. 

First Captain, William Patrick ; retired at the reorganization ; promoted Major of the 17th 
battalion Virginia Cavalry ; mortally wounded at second Manassas, August 31, 1862. 

1st Lieutenant, Thomas W. McClung ; elected Captain at the reorganization. 

2d Lieutenant, John M. Hanger ; resigned on account of health. 

Brevt. 'Id Lieutenant, Wm. B. Gallaher ; resigned in July, 1861. 

1st Sergeant, William A. Hanger ; elected 2d Lieutenant ; promoted 1st Lieutenant ; wounded 
at Catlett's Station, August 22, 1862, and permanently disabled. 

2d Sergeant, John S. Moorman ; wounded May 9, 1864, and October 19, 1864. 

3d Sergeant, James C. McClung. 

4th Sergeant, Charles S Patterson ; put in a substitute in 1862. 

1*/ Corporal, Silas H. Walker ; promoted 1st Sergeant and 2d Lieutenant ; wounded at the Wil- 
derness, M\y 7, 1864. 

Id Corporal, William C Berry; killed at Catlett's Station, August 22, 1862. 

3d Corporal, Cyrus Mowry ; put in a substitute. 

4th Corporal, John T. Kennerly. 

Ensign, Virginius R. Guy; died at home, November 13, 1864. 

Surgeon, G. Moffett King, M. D. 

Musician, George W. Freed ; detailed as orderly for General J. E. B. Stuart, and for General 
Fitz Lee. 

Company Quartermaster, Norman H. Hanger ; detailed at Cavalry Headquarters. 



Alexander, Geo. H. 

Alexander, Saml. H., wounded in the Wilderness, May 7, 1864. 

Arnall, John Baldwin, wounded near Columbia Furnace, October 8, and died October 9, 1S64. 

Austin, W. H. H., permanently disabled in August, 1861. 

Bare, Artedore, drowned in South River near Waynesboro'. 

Barnes, Jos. F., captured in Hardy County, December 18, 1864 ; died in Camp Chase, January 

15, 1865. 
Bateman, Geo. W., captured near Appomattox Court House. 
Bateman, James B., captured in Hunter's Raid; exchanged and died in Chimborazo Hospital, 

M 'r"li21, 1S65. 
Batis, N. Willis, blacksmith. 

Bayne, Frank, wounded in May, 1864 ; on October 8, and November 22, 1864. 
Beard, Samuel. 

Bell, David P., wounded at Chancellorsville, May 2, 1863, and at High Bridge, April 6, 1865. 
Bell, Frank M. , promoted 3d Corporal. 
Bell, J. Brownlee, left as nurse with wounded at Gettysburg ; died at Fort Delaware. 



ROLL OF FIRST VIRGINIA CAVALRY. 463 

Bell, Robert S., detailed in Qr. Mr. Dept. 

Blackwell, C. Edward. 

Boyd, Wm. H. 

Brooks, Addison. 

Brooks, J. Augustus. 

Brooks, J. Milton. 

Brown, Robert B. 

Brownlee, James M., killed near Littlestown, Pa., June, 1SG3. 

Bumgardner, Wm. L. , wounded May 8, 1864. 

Christian, Chas. F., died June 13, 1862. 

Christian, James S., died May 16, 1862. 

Christian, John T., detailed in Commissary Department. 

Cochran, B. F., discharged on account of ill health. 

Craig, H. Brown, promoted Adjutant of 26th battalion Virginia Infantry, and killed at Cold Har- 
bor June 3, 18G4. 

Crawford, C. Edward, captured at the Yellow Tavern, but escaped. 

Crawford, Geo. W., killed at Spottsylvania C H., May 8, 1SG4. 

Crawford, I. S., wounded at Todd's Tavern, 18G4. 

Crawford, James Allen, promoted 'Jd Corporal. . 

Crawford, James McP., captured at Cedar Creek, but recaptured the same day by Abe Tweed, 
Dave Bell, and Bumgardner. 

Crawford, Stuart M., promoted Orderly Sergeant. 

Crawford, Toliver W., died July 24, 1861. 

Crawford, W. B., put in a substitute. 

Critzer, James A., captured near Greencastle, Pa., July 4, 18G3. 

Cullen, Daniel C. 

Dalhouse, A. Nathandil, wounded at Kennon's Landing. 

Dalhoise, Chas. Gambrlll, wounded near WiUiamsport, June 27, 1SC1 ; died December 24, 18G1. 

Davis, John J., put in a substitute, April, 18G2. 

Davis, L. W. 

Donoho, Lucian M., captured at Rich Mountain, July, 1861. 

Drake, David William, promoted Sergeant-Major of 1st Virginia Cavalry; brave among the 
bravest. 

Eakle. James, killed at Kennon's Landing, May 24, 1864. 

Edwards, G. B., substitute for W. B. Crawford ; captured at Westminster, Md., June 29, 1803. 

Estill, John L., wounded once. 

Finley. L. Newton, captured at Berryville, September 23, 1864. 

Finley. W. W ., died in camp, Fairfax County, February 13, 18G2. 

Fishburne, Elliot G. , promoted 1st Corporal and 3d Sergeant ; wounded at Raccoon Ford, Sep- 
tember. 1863, and in the Wilderness, May 7, 1864. 

Fitch. Alex. P., wounded at Meeiu's Bottom, 1864. 

Freed, George W., orderly for General J. E. B. Stuart. 

Freed. William Abe, promoted Corporal ; wounded at Spottsylvania C. H., May 9, 1864. 

Fultz. Frei i nii'K L., put in a substitute in 18G2. 

Fultz. John Hampden, wounded at High Bridge, 1865. 

Gali.vhi r, D. Clinton, detailed as courier at Cavalry Headquarters. 

Gardner, W. B., killed May 7, 1864. 

GlLKESON, IRVIN W. 

Graham, J. W. T. 

Guy, Virginius R., died at home, November 13, 1864. 

Guy, William M., died in Richmond, July 17, 1862. 

Hamilton, Jacob P. 

Hanger, J. Dorsey, detailed in the Commissary Department. 

Hanger, Jas. M., detailed in the Commissary Department. 

Hanger, John H., discharged on account of ill health. 

Harner, William F., captured near Waynesboro', March 2, 1865. 

Hayhen, B. Jerry, promoted 4th Sergeant. 

Hayi en, O. D. 

HAYDEN, Sor., wounded in May, 18G4. 

Hiliiebraxd. Gideon, killed April 1, 1865. 

Hiseekan, Homer C. 

Hoy, James M., wounded five times, May 7, 18G4 ; died at home, June, 1864. 

Hunter, Robert H., promoted 4th Corporal ; wounded at Gettysburg. 

Hunter, Wm. L., detailed with Mosby ; promoted Lieutenant in company A, 43d battalion Vir- 
ginia Cavalry ; captured at Aldie, April 28, 18G4 : put under fire at Morris' Island, Charles- 
ton, but made his escape ; wounded, February, 18G3. 

Irvine, James E., put in a substitute. 

Johnson, Julian A., promoted 4th Corporal and Brev. 2d Lieutenant. 

Johnson, Zach., wounded near Falling Waters, June 5, 1801 ; died in 1862. 

Reiser, J. N., wounded in the spring of 1863, and on November 22, 18G4 ; permanently disabled. 

Reiser, William A. 

Kennedy, Henry, killed by a prisoner whom he was taking to the rear ; this prisoner was the 
Orderly Sergeant of a company of forty-two men captured by Kennedy, McCausland, and 
Fishburne. 

Kennedy, Isaac. 

Kennf.rly, Jas. W., wounded May 7, 18G4. 

Kenni'rly, Jno. T. 

Kerr, D. M., disabled by a fall from his horse. 

Kerb, James T., wounded at High Bridge, April, 1865, and permanently disabled. 



464 



APPENDIX. 



Kerr, John S., with Mosby on his first scout ; captured at the Yellow Tavern, but escaped. 

Kerr, Samuel, 

Kerr, William C. 

Koiner, Alex., wounded March 5, 18G5. 

Koiner, Caspar M., killed at Keiiuon's Landing, May 24, 1864. 

Koiner, Charles. 

Koiner, Christian H., wounded near Littlestown, Pa., June, 1863 ; died June 30, 1863. 

Koiner, C. William, captured in Hunter's Raid, 1864; died August 31, 1864, at Camp Morton, 
Ind., and buried there. 

Koiner, Elijah, promoted Brev. 2d Lieutenant ; wounded at Meem's Bottom, 1864. 

Koiner, George M., transferred from 52d Virginia Infantry. 

Koiner, J. Webster, wounded at High Bridge, April, 1865. 

Koiner, Philip D., wounded at Hawes' Shop, May 26, 1S64. 

Koiner, W., transferred to infantry. 

Lareu, James, killed at Gettysburg. 

Laville, David, captured in the retreat from Gettysburg, 1863. 

Layman, G. W., put in a substitute. 

Leonard, Jacob H. 

Leonard, John F., wounded at Brandy Station. 

Leonard, Luther M., wounded in the Wilderness, May 7, 1864. 

Long, James F., killed in the Valley, November, 1864. 

Marshall, Jacob H., captured and recaptured at the Yellow Tavern. 

McCausland, Wm. D., one of the bravest ; wounded when with Mosby in April, 1863 ; shot in the 
lace at Cold Harbor, and in the ankle, in 1864 ; leg amputated below the knee ; was one of the 
three who captured the company of forty-two men just after the second battle of Manassas. 

McClanahan, Jno. M., captured and retaken at Slatersville. 

McClung, C. Wm. 

McClung, Frank. 

McClung, James A. 

McComb, James, wounded in April, 1865. 

McComb, James H. 

McComb, Joseph Henderson, killed at Spottsylvania C. H., May 9, 1864. 

McComb, Moses H. 

McComb, W. A. B., detailed as courier at Cavalry Headquarters. 

McCue, Saml. H., wounded at Cedar Creek, October 0, 1864. 

McCue, W. Crawford, died at home, August 26, 1861. 

McCue, W. Wirt, died at home, March 12, 1802. 

Miller, Crawford, stunned by a shell at Luray. 

Miller, John D. , shot through the body, May 7, 1864. 

Miller, Samuel M., transferred from 52d Virginia Infantry ; wounded at Seven Pines ; wounded 
twice at Gettysburg ; and killed near Berryville. 

Moffett, Milton M., transferred from Pegram's battalion of infantry; captured at Rich Moun- 
tain, July 18, 1861. 

Moffett, Robert W., wounded December 1, 1864. 

Montgomery, Thos. A., blacksmith. 

Montgomery, Wm. F., blacksmith. 

Moorman, James F., died at Madison Court House, May 1, 1862. , 

Mowry, C. 

Murray, Dandzl, teamster. 

Palmer, Martin V., wounded at Falling Waters in 1861, and at Reams' Station ; captured at Crab 
Bottom, December 18, 1864. 

Patterson, Charles S., put in a substitute in 1862. 

Patterson, Wm. Brown, put in a substitute in 1862, but afterward joined the 52d Virginia In- 
fantry ; twice wounded at Petersburg. 

Patterson, Wm. H., detailed as courier at Cavalry Headquarters ; died at home, April 16, 1863. 

Pn.soN, H. Clay. 

Rader, Henry, detailed as blacksmith at home ; put in a substitute, but afterward joined com- 
pany H, 5th Virginia Infantry. 

Rader, Wm. H., wounded in arm, cheek, and head at Littlestown, Pa., in 1863 ; permanently dis- 
abled ; prisoner for eight months at Fort Delaware. 

Reese, Samuel. 

Roler, C. A., wounded May 7, 1864. 

Roler, C. S. 

Root, J. F. 

Sheets, Wm. E. 

Shields, J. T., detailed in Quartermaster's Department. 

Smith, James B., left as nurse at Gettysburg; a prisoner at Fort Mifflin and Fort Delaware for 
fourteen months. 

Smith, John B. 

Stuart, Robert, killed at Hawes' Shop, May 26, 1864. 

Swink, Calvin L., wounded in Waynesboro', May, 1863, and in the Wilderness, May 7, 1864. 

Th acker, G. M., wounded May 9, 1864. 

Turk, De Witt C , slightly wounded once or twice. 

Turk, J. Alex., wounded October 19, 1864, and at High Bridge, April 6, 1865. 

Walker, Thos. J., wounded at the Yellow Tavern, May 11, 1864. 

Wallace, Wm. T. 

Webb, Jacob. 

Weede, James W. ' 

WsiJiER, Benjamin, detailed as courier at Cavalry Headquarters ; wounded May 7, 1864. 



ROLL OF FIRST VIRGINIA CAVALRY. 465 

Weller, W. Frank, detailed lor a short time with Mosby. 
\\ Hn moke, Saml. W., wounded at Waynesboro', May, 1803. 
Wine. James. 

Wowrby, J. W., killed at Todd's Tavern, May 7, 1864. 
Yount, Samuel, wounded at Cold Harbor, June 2, 1864. 
Zumbrow, T. W. 

ROLL OF COMPANY F. JEFFERSON COUNTY. 

Captain, W. A. Morgan ; promoted Major, Lieutenant-Colonel, and Colonel, 1st Virginia Cav- 
alry. 
1st Lieutenant, M. J. Billmyer; promoted Captain; wounded at Hawes' Shop, June 28, 1864, 
'lit Lieutenant, J. S. Tanner; promoted Division Surgeon of infantry. 
Brev. ■!<! Lieutenant, John A. Jones; resigned, October, 1S01. 
Lit Sergeant, J. M. Billmyer; promoted Lieutenant. 
2d S( rgeant, W. H. Lemen ; promoted Lieutenant. 
;;</ Sergeant, Thornton Koontz. 

itk Sergeant, John T. Billmyer ; promoted Lieutenant ; wounded at Five Forks, April 1, 1865. 
Corporal, F. W. Latimer ; wounded at Gettysburg, and at Hawes' Shop, June 28, 1804. 
Corporal, J. S. Stonebraker ; honorably discharged. 
Corporal, William Hunter ; wounded at Cold Harbor, July, 1804. 
Corporal, Henry Hagan ; promoted Lieutenant in command of General J. E. B. Stuart's escort. 



Andrews, George, wounded at Hawes' Shop, June 28, 1864. 

Baker, N. D., wounded. 

Billmyer, R. L., wounded at Fall's Cross Roads, September, 1864. 

Burk, George, honorably discharged. 

Burk, John, captured. 

Burk, Polk, captured. 

Butler, William, died in hospital in 1864. 

C'oni.ey, James. 

Daniels, W. B., transferred to 2d Virginia Infantry in 1864. 

Davidson, John, wounded at Mount Jackson in 1864. 

Deck, William, blacksmith. 

Driscoll, John, wounded and captured at Munson's Hill. 

Eakle, John, captured. 

Ellis, E. 

Engle, William. 

Evans, A. Mvson, detailed in 1861 as scout for General Stuart ; captured four times. 

Ford, T. 

FeyAT, J. W., wounded at Spottsylvania, May. 1804. 

Gall, Christian, detailed with Mosby ; killed in Loudon County, 1804. 

Grove, Frank, wounded at Bpottsylvania, May, 1804. 

Grove, J. S., wounded at Kelly's Ford, 1SC2. 

Fa mil, James. 

Harris, Georce, killed at Bunker's Hill in 1861. 

Hensell, Edward. 

Hensell, Scott, wounded. 

Hensell. Wn liam. wounded and captured ; died in prison in 1865. 

Hill, John P., captured in 1804. 

HirsLEY, Thomas, transferred to the 12th Virginia Cavalry. 

Hite, Frank, killed at Beverly in 1865. 

Hite. Nealy. 

Holliday, John. 

James. Peyton. 

Johnson. William. 

Jones, Frank. 

Jones. Isaac wounded at Mount Jackson in 1864. 

Jorbs, Reynolds. 

Jones, Samuel, captured. 

Jones. Thomas F.. captured at Falmouth, February, 1863. 

Kearney. A. W.. died in March, 18C2. 

Kearney. Briscoe, died in October, 1863. 

Keyes, William, killed at Kennon's Landing, June 24, 18G4. 

Kines, Georoe H. 

Kines, Newton. 

Knott, CO., captured at Flint Hill, October. 18G1 ; transferred to 12th Virginia Cavalry. 

Leaopold, Andrew, captured and hung in Federal prison in 1864 or 1865. 

Lemen, John, captured in May, 1861. 

Lemen, Thomas, killed in Loudon County, June, 1863. 

Lincoln. Abraham, deserted in 1864. 

Lucas, Frank. 

Lucas, George, killed in November, 1864. 

Lucas. I.ouig. 

I.i -i as, R. R., captured in 1863. 

LUCKAS, . 



466 



APPENDIX. 



Marshall, Mason, wounded at Trevillian's Station, July, 1804. 

Marshall, P. P., promoted Lieutenant ; wounded at Gettysburg ; retired. 

McMullen, Charles, wounded. 

McQuilkin, W. H., died in 1862. 

Miller, William, captured and died in prison at Point Lookout. 

Morgan, Daniel, killed at High Bridge, April, 1805. 

Morgan, Jacklin, wounded at Flint Hill, in 1801. 

Morrison, WlD. 

Mugler, D., deserted in October, 1804. 

Myers, David, deserted in October, 1804. 

Myers, John, promoted Lieutenant ; killed at Tom's Brook, 1804. 

O'Brien, W., deserted in June, 1803. 

Osbourn, R. L., wounded ; transferred to 12th Virginia Cavalry. 

Peyton, Thomas. 

Randall, A. W., wounded at Hawes' Shop, May 28, 1804. 

Reinhart, Joseph, promoted Lieutenant ; wouuded at South Mountain and retired. 

Reynolds, He.nry. 

Roberts, John W., wounded ; detailed as scout for General Stuart. 

Ronemous, John, transferred to 12th Virginia Cavalry. 

Rush, Jacob. 

Seibert, John, wounded ; detailed with Mosby. 

Seibert, O. 

Showman, Olives. 

Small, James. 

Small, M. B., drowned in the Potomac in 1803. 

Smith, Archie, transferred to the 0th Virginia Cavalry. 

Smith, B. F., wounded at Kennon's Landing, June 24, 1804. 

Smith, James. 

Smith, John. 

Spotts, George, deserted in 1803. 

Spotts, Jacob, wounded at first Manassas ; captured and died in prison in 1863. 

Spotts, William, killed at Orange Court House in 1863. 

Taylor, David, killed at Guard Hill in 1804. 

Tice, John'. 

Turner, Magill. 

Vanmeter, J. B., wounded. 

Vanmeter, M. A. 

Walters, James, discharged in 1802. 

Walters, John, deserted in 1802. 

Warner, George. 

Welsh, Clinton, wounded in 1864. 

Williamson, Thomas. 

Williamson, White, wounded. 

Wilson, E., wounded at Guard Hill in 1804. 

Wysong, R. L., transferred to 12th Virginia Cavalry. 

Yontz, George. 

Tount, Nathan. 

ROLL OF COMPANY K. COMPOSED OF MARYLANDER8. 

Captain, George R. Gaither ; resigned. 
Lieutenant, George Howard ; captured at Lewinsville. 
Lieutenant, Samuel Dorsey. 
Lieutenant, Thomas Griffith. 



Albauoh. John, killed. 

Archer, Robert, promoted Lieutenant-Colonel of 55th Virginia regiment 

Arnett, William. 

Barnes, William, killed at Kelly's Ford. 

Barry, Daniel. 

Beatty, Edward, killed. 

Betts, William, wounded at Jarald's Mill. 

Bond, Frank. 

Bouldin, Constanttne, wounded at Falmouth. 

Bowie, Albert. 

Brady, Eugene, wounded and captured in Spottsylvania. 

Brand, Alex. J. 

Brown, Charles, wounded. 

Brown, J. Wesley. 

Brown, Louis, wounded at Charlottesville. 

Beown, , killed at Earlysville. 

Bruce, Robert, killed at Bunker's Hill. 

Buckingham, George, wounded. 

Bump, George. 

Burgess, William, wounded at Bunker's Hill. 

Campbell, William, captured. 

Carroll, Harper. 



ROLL OF FIRST VIRGINIA CAVALRY. 467 

Cecil, Rudolphus, promoted Lieutenant ; killed at James City Landing. 

Childs, William, kill. 1 

Clark, Kodv, wounded three tune3. 

Clements, Frank. 

Clinton, Dewitt, wounded. 

Conrad, Epiiraim. 

Cook, Rudolphus. 

Dai.l, Rash. 

Davies, William, killed at Falmouth. 

Ditty, Irvi.no C. 

Dorsey, Charles. 

Dorsey, Charles H. 

Dorsey, Gustavus W., promoted as Captain; wounded at Bunker's Hill. 

Dorsey. Hammond, wounded. 

Dorsey, John. 

Dorsey, Pue. 

Dorsey, William, killed at Spottsylvania C. H. 

Edwards, Dr. . 

Fitzgerald, Bolton, captured three times at Leesburg. 

Floyd, Robert, killed at Kelly's Ford. 

Forrestt, Pitt. 

Gaither, Washington. 

■ i . 

Gii. i,. George 31., killed in the Valley of Virginia. 

Gittings, Harry, killed at Winchester. 

Griffith, Frank. 

Griffith, George. 

Harding, John, killed at Beaver Dam Station. 

Hartmier, Richard. 

Hayden, Horace. 

Hayden, William, wounded and captured. 

Hewes, Warner. 

Hoebs, Chew, promoted Lieutenant. 

Hobbs, Townley, captured and took the oath. 

Holland, John, killed. 

Holland, Joshua, captured and died at Point Lookout. 

Holland, Peter. 

Hurley, Otho S. 

Isaacs, William. 

Jackens, William. 

Jamis in, James. 

Jenkins, Henry, wounded and captured. 

Johnson, John. 

Keene, Robert. 

Kelbaugh, William, killed at Rockfish Ford. 

Kenly, Richard. 

Lambert, William. 

Langley, Thos. 

Lee, Otho S., detailed at General Fitzhugh Lee's Headquarters. 

Le Maits, James. 

Logan, Alkx., killed at Martinsburg. 

Maxwell, John, deserted. 

Maynadier, Jno S., captured and sentenced as a spy ; pardoned by President Lincoln. 

Maynadier, Murray, detailed on Signal Corps ; wounded at Fairfax C. H. 

McCloud, Henry. 

McGihne3s, Frank. 

MoMulty, James. 

Mi Sherry. Richard. 

Mercer, Washington. 

Merritt, Samuel. 

M ibton, Thos. 

Murdock, Campbell. 

Offutt. John, c.ipt.ired and took the oath. 

Offitt, William, captured and took the oath. 

Oliver, James, wounded and captured. 

O'Neil. JoiinH. 

Owen-, John, detailed at General Fitzhugh Lee's Headquarters. 

Pitts, Fred., captured and escaped from Fort McHenry. 

Pitts, Jack. 

Pie, Edward H. D., promoted as Lieutenant ; held No. 1, right of the line of 1st Virginia Cav- 
alry for three- years ; wounded at Gettysburg, Spottsylvania, Ream's Station, and in the Val- 
ley of Virginia. 

Pue, Ferdinand. 

Pue, Ventress. 

Purnell, Wm. S., captured and escaped from Fort McHenry. 

Rider, William, killed at Gettysburg. 

Ridgley, Samuel. 

Riogs, Joshua. 

Roby, Townley. 



468 



APPENDIX. 



Scaggs, George. 

Schull, John. 

Seignor, Thos. 

Sellman, John. 

Shervin, Thos. 

Shriver, Mark. 

Slater, George. 

Smith, Thos., killed. 

Smoot, Thos. 

Stewart, Robert, killed at Slatersville. 

Treakle, Albert. 

Turner, Thos., detailed with Mosby ; killed at Harper's Ferry. 

Waters, John, killed. 

Waters, Thos. 

Webster, Wm. S. 

Wheatley, Charles. 

Wheatley, Frank, killed at Raccoon Ford. 

Wheatley, Walter. 

Wicks, Harry. 

Wills, Leo. 

Wilson, Abram, captured. 

Wilson, Charles. 

Witzleven, , captured. 

Wrench, John, wounded. 
Weight, William. 






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